Daud Olatunji
Despite the N12.49 billion spent on the health sector in Ogun State in 2023, numerous health facilities across the state continue to operate without essential resources, including skilled birth attendants, clean water, sanitation facilities, and steady power supply, a recent report by BudgIT has revealed.
In its latest state-by-state performance analysis, BudgIT highlighted that primary healthcare centers in Ogun suffer from critical shortages, pointing to a lack of skilled birth attendants (SBAs), insufficient human resources, and inadequate medical equipment.
This, the budgIT says, leaves many communities without basic healthcare provisions necessary for safe births and routine medical care.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Ogun’s health sector spending in 2023 accounted for N12.49 billion, which is just 3.65% of the state’s total expenditure.
The report noted that the actual budget implementation was disappointing, with only 26.04% of the N49.7 billion allocated for healthcare effectively used.
This figure falls significantly short of the 15% health expenditure benchmark set by the Abuja Declaration, aimed at improving health funding across Nigeria.
Further breakdowns of the state’s health budget show that N299.8 million was spent on constructing and rehabilitating hospitals and health centres, while another N609.92 million went towards the procurement of drugs, laboratory supplies, and other medical resources.
Nonetheless, basic amenities like a stable power supply, clean water, and sanitation facilities remain inaccessible in many of these facilities, which limits their operational effectiveness and service delivery.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered from the data obtained revealed that the challenges include deteriorating healthcare facilities, inadequate infrastructure at all levels, manpower shortages worsened by staff attrition, lack of supervision and coordination in implementing health programmes, and insufficient budget allocation to the sector.
According to UNICEF’s latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), vaccination coverage in Ogun stands at 59%, while only 44.8% of pregnant women in the state had at least eight antenatal care visits.
“Child mortality is also a pressing issue in Ogun, where one in twelve children die before reaching the age of five.
“Health insurance coverage remains extremely low, with only 1.7% of women, 1.8% of men, 1.4% of children aged 5-17, and 1.2% of children under five covered.
BudgIT’s report recommends that Ogun State increase its health sector funding to align with the Abuja Declaration’s 15% target.
This, it argues, would help improve healthcare delivery across the state.
The report further advised Ogun to prioritize timely and full implementation of its health budget and to make more substantial investments in infrastructure and essential medical supplies.
These steps, BudgIT states, would enhance the quality and accessibility of healthcare services and ensure that funds allocated to the sector deliver maximum impact.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that Ogun State’s healthcare system remains in dire need of reform and increased investment to address the gaps in service delivery and infrastructure.
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