Despite receiving $3.53 billion (N5.4 trillion) in health-related loans from the World Bank over the past nine years, Nigeria’s health sector continues to face significant challenges. The Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives have expressed concerns that the results of these loans are not visible.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, Dr. Tope Osundara, said that the country’s health infrastructure is still in a poor state, despite the huge amount of loans collected from the World Bank. He cited the example of the University College Hospital, where power supply is a major problem, and noted that there is nothing to show for the loans except for the creation of more health facilities.
The President of the Medical and Dental Consultants’ Association of Nigeria, Prof. Muhammad Muhammad, stated that the training and availability of medical personnel in the country are far from where they should be. He noted that the impact of the World Bank loans is below average when compared to the size of the loans received. Muhammad advised the government to involve frontline medical professionals in identifying critical areas of need before deploying the funds.
The Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Omomo Tibiebi, said that the state of health infrastructure in Nigeria faces significant challenges despite receiving substantial World Bank health-related loans. He stated that the country’s health system still grapples with inadequate funding, poor health outcomes, infectious diseases, and weak infrastructure.
The World Bank has approved several health-related loans to Nigeria, including $500 million under the Nigeria COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Project, $750 million under the Additional Financing for COVID-19 Response through the States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme, and $400 million as additional financing for the same COVID-19 preparedness initiative. These loans are aimed at boosting immunization, maternal and child health, nutrition, pandemic preparedness, and primary healthcare services across several states.
Despite the loans, Nigeria’s health sector continues to face significant challenges, including slow disbursement of funds, limited progress, and weak infrastructure. Tibiebi urged the government to prioritize timely implementation, invest in training and capacity building for healthcare workers, strengthen governance structures, and promote transparency and accountability in the healthcare sector.
The President of NARD, Dr. Osundara, urged the government to use loans judiciously and ensure that they are not diverted. He also called for the Ministry of Health to monitor all funds and loans given in relation to healthcare or health needs. The government should also strengthen the health system and find ways to respond to health emergencies.
The health sector crisis in Nigeria persists despite the significant loans received from the World Bank. The country’s health infrastructure is still in a poor state, and the impact of the loans is not visible. The government needs to prioritize timely implementation, invest in training and capacity building for healthcare workers, and promote transparency and accountability in the healthcare sector to ensure better outcomes.
