Despite the allocation to the health sector and intervention by development partners, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Wednesday said there was 35 shortage of essential medicines nationwide in 2023.


Citing a National Health and Demographic Survey (NDHS) report, it said the challenges of infant mortality exists at 63 per 1000 live births.


The Statistician-General, Dr Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, who disclosed this during the launch of the National Health Facility Survey (NHFS) Report 2023 in Abuja, said: “Despite various reforms and investments by government and development partners, all aimed at improving the quality of healthcare delivery and outcomes, substantial challenges still exist such as infant mortality rates (63 per 1000 live births) according to the latest National Health and Demographic Survey  and a severe shortage of essential medicines across all medical facilities nationwide.” 


According to him, these persistent issues undermine our ability to provide equitable healthcare to all Nigerians, particularly in underserved and remote areas.


He lamented that the migration of healthcare professionals is another critical issue that has impeded the functioning of the healthcare delivery system.  


Adeniran said many Nigerian doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers seek opportunities abroad for better salaries, improved working conditions and career advancement.


“This trend has exacerbated the shortage of skilled healthcare workers which has put further strain on our ability to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.”


He said NHFS2023 built on the groundwork laid by the previous surveys conducted in 2016 and 2019.


He said this year’s report also incorporates Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs), a set of tools developed in collaboration with the World Bank and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).


Adeniran said SDIs focus on assessing primary healthcare service delivery, ensuring that the monitoring process promotes greater accountability, enhances governance and facilitates more targeted interventions for improved healthcare outcomes.


He said Nigeria just like any other developing country, faces challenges in its healthcare delivery system, with issues such as insufficient funding for healthcare facilities, outdated infrastructure and a shortage of skilled personnel.