FG: Nigeria Faces Shortage of 122,696 Primary Healthcare Workers

The Nigerian federal government estimates it will take three years and approximately N4.55 billion to fill 122,696 vacant positions in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across 26 states. This figure emerged from an analysis of baseline data submitted by states during a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) recruitment assessment exercise.

Zaiyanatu Umar, Human Resource for Health and Project Management Lead at the SWAp Coordination Office, explained that the data was collected using a tool developed to support the HOPE-GOV 5.2 Disbursement-Linked Indicator. This indicator focuses on ensuring a quality healthcare workforce and its availability across different levels of care. The World Bank-supported HOPE-GOV Programme incentivizes states to improve governance, financial management, and service delivery in PHC and basic education.

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The baseline data received from SWAp was based on the recruitment tool that was developed.

Assessments revealed that out of 220,755 required PHC positions in participating states, only 98,059 are currently occupied, leaving a significant deficit. This shortage impacts healthcare delivery nationwide. On average, participating states have 7.5 PHC workers per 10,000 population, with 55.6 percent of required positions vacant.

The South-East region faces the most critical staffing crisis, with a 73 percent workforce gap and only 1.9 PHC workers per 10,000 people. The North-West follows with a 70.9 percent gap and 5.8 workers per 10,000. Other regions, including the North-Central, South-South, and North-East, also report substantial staffing deficits, highlighting persistent challenges within Nigeria's healthcare system.

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This was majorly to push forth on the HOPE-GOV 5.2 Disbursement-Linked Indicator (DLI), which spoke around ensuring a quality healthcare workforce and availability across the different levels.