Power, Water Shortages, And The Japa Effect Strain Nigeria's Health Sector

Discover how power shortages, water crises, and the Japa syndrome are affecting Nigeria’s health sector despite increased funding and policy reforms in 2024.

The State of Nigeria’s Health Sector: Progress and Persistent Challenges

In 2024, Nigeria’s health sector witnessed both positive strides and persistent challenges. While some improvements were evident in basic healthcare services and disease control, several structural issues continued to hinder the sector’s overall performance.

Improvements Noted:

Increased focus on primary healthcare with better facilities.
Expansion in health workforce with more doctors and nurses trained locally.
Enhanced disease control efforts, including vaccine drives and local vaccine production for diseases like Lassa fever and malaria.
Better maternal and child health care, with improved prenatal and postnatal services.

The government made a notable financial commitment, with ₦2.5 trillion allocated to healthcare between December 2023 and November 2024. However, the effectiveness of this funding remains a subject of debate due to persistent issues in the sector.

The Impact of Power and Water Shortages on Healthcare Services

A major factor affecting Nigeria’s healthcare system is the unreliable power supply and limited access to clean water. Hospitals and clinics often struggle with inconsistent electricity, leading to compromised medical services. Additionally, poor water infrastructure poses hygiene challenges, increasing the risk of infections and reducing the quality of care provided.

Infectious diseases, including new COVID-19 strains and antimicrobial resistance, continue to strain the system, partly due to poor infection control measures exacerbated by these infrastructural gaps.

Japa Syndrome and Health Worker Shortages

The “Japa” phenomenon, characterized by the mass migration of skilled professionals abroad, has further strained Nigeria’s health system. Doctors, nurses, and healthcare specialists seeking better opportunities overseas have left many rural areas critically understaffed, reducing the quality and availability of healthcare services.

The shortage has impacted service delivery in several ways:

Increased patient-to-doctor ratio.
Reduced quality of care, especially in rural regions.
Limited capacity for specialized medical services.

Healthcare Funding: Is It Enough?

While the government increased the health sector budget in 2024, the actual allocation of ₦1.23 trillion was lower than the previous year’s ₦1.3 trillion. Despite efforts to expand primary healthcare centers and improve infrastructure, the sector continues to be underfunded relative to its needs.

Policy Efforts and the Road Ahead

In 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed reforms aimed at improving healthcare accessibility and affordability under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII). This policy aims to:

Boost local pharmaceutical production.
Expand health infrastructure.
Increase access to essential healthcare services, especially in underserved areas.

Looking ahead to 2025, the government plans to double the number of fully operational Primary Healthcare Centers from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027, backed by a ₦260 billion investment. However, sustained monitoring and accountability will be key to ensuring this ambitious plan translates into tangible improvements.

Conclusion: A Health Sector in Need of Sustained Reforms

While Nigeria’s health sector has shown signs of progress, critical challenges persist due to infrastructure deficits, healthcare worker shortages, and underfunding. To achieve lasting improvement, efforts must focus on consistent funding, better working conditions for health professionals, and enhanced public health infrastructure.

The hope for 2025 lies in proper execution and monitoring of policies like the Sector-Wide Compact, ensuring that every Nigerian can access quality healthcare without financial strain.