The South-West region of Nigeria has emerged as the leader in the availability of medical equipment in health facilities, while the North-West records the least, according to the 2023 National Health Facility Survey (NHFS).
The report, released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and with technical assistance from the World Bank, shows that 48.8 per cent of medical equipment in Nigeria is concentrated in the South-West.
In contrast, the North-West region has only 20.9 per cent of its health facilities equipped with functional basic medical equipment, the lowest among the country’s geopolitical zones.
The NHFS, conducted across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, involved mapping and listing 3,330 health facilities randomly sampled to provide an up-to-date assessment of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure.
The survey defined basic medical equipment as tools such as weighing scales, thermometers, stethoscopes, blood pressure apparatus, and examination lights.
Findings revealed that 68 per cent of secondary health facilities and 29.9 per cent of public primary health facilities had such equipment in functional condition.
Additionally, the survey evaluated the availability of essential drugs in health facilities. It found that 50.6 per cent of essential drugs were available in secondary health facilities (SHFs), while primary health facilities (PHFs) recorded a lower availability rate of 34.3 per cent.
Immunisation services were also highlighted in the report, with data showing the availability of key vaccines in public health facilities.
Measles antigen was available in 51.9 per cent of facilities, while pentavalent and oral polio vaccines were available in 51 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively.
Other vaccines assessed include:
BCG: 51 per cent
Rotavirus: 47.3 per cent
Pneumococcal: 45.8 per cent
Inactivated polio: 48.6 per cent
Human papillomavirus: 37.7 per cent
Tetanus toxoid/diphtheria: 49 per cent
Yellow fever: 50 per cent
Meningitis: 48.1 per cent
Strategic Insights for Healthcare Improvement
The NHFS aims to provide critical insights into the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system, including the readiness and capacity of secondary facilities to deliver essential services.
According to the NBS, the survey’s findings are expected to guide healthcare managers in evaluating performance, addressing systemic weaknesses, and improving service delivery across various levels.
The data underscores the pressing need for strategic interventions, particularly in regions like the North-West, to bridge gaps in medical equipment availability and enhance overall healthcare quality.
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