Nigeria’s Health System Struggles to Meet Population Needs

Nigeria's health sector continues to face significant challenges despite receiving loans totaling N5.4 trillion from the World Bank aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and services. Issues such as inadequate facilities, shortage of medical personnel, and poor funding allocation persist, raising concerns about the effective utilization of the borrowed funds. Stakeholders have called for greater transparency and accountability to address systemic inefficiencies that hinder progress in the sector.

A nationwide strike by nurses in Nigeria has left hospitals across the country in disarray, with patients bearing the brunt of the industrial action. The strike, initiated over unresolved welfare issues and poor working conditions, has led to the suspension of non-emergency medical services. Many patients have been turned away or left unattended, with reports of worsening health conditions. A patient at a public hospital in Lagos lamented, 'We are suffering; there is no one to attend to us.' The government is yet to reach a resolution with the striking nurses.

A group of researchers has identified key reasons why Nigeria lags behind in conducting clinical trials, including inadequate funding, regulatory bottlenecks, and lack of infrastructure. The study, conducted by health experts at the University of Lagos, notes that only 1% of global clinical trials are conducted in Nigeria despite its large population. Lead researcher Dr. Folake Adeniyi stated, 'We have the potential to be a leader in medical research, but systemic issues hold us back.' The findings call for government and private sector collaboration to boost Nigeria’s role in global health research.