As Nigeria experiences an increase in government revenue, former presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a powerful call to action: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must prioritize healthcare funding to address the country’s critical medical challenges.
In a recent statement, Obi stressed that excess government earnings should be channeled into revitalizing Nigeria’s ailing health sector, which continues to face shortages of essential medical supplies, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and an acute lack of trained personnel across the country.
“Our hospitals are overstretched and under-resourced. The health of Nigerians cannot wait any longer. The current surplus is an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen health facilities nationwide,” Obi said.
Nigeria’s health indicators paint a grim picture. Many public hospitals lack basic equipment and medicines, leading to preventable deaths and poor patient outcomes. Maternal and child mortality rates remain among the highest in the world. The healthcare system struggles to cope with frequent outbreaks of diseases as well as the rising burden of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
Obi argued that investing in healthcare is not just a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. A healthy population is the foundation of a productive workforce and sustainable development. Without robust health services, workers are less efficient, children miss school due to illness, and families face catastrophic healthcare costs that push them deeper into poverty.
“By prioritizing health, the government can reduce long-term costs associated with disease burden and improve the quality of life for millions of Nigerians,” he added.
Despite Nigeria’s recent improvement in oil revenue and other fiscal inflows, Obi warned that failure to direct these funds towards meaningful health reforms risks perpetuating the cycle of poverty and ill health for millions of Nigerians.
The former governor urged the administration to allocate more resources to primary health centers, medical training programs, and the procurement of essential drug supplies, ensuring that Nigerians in both urban and rural areas have access to quality care.
In many rural communities, access to even the most basic health services remains limited. Health workers are often unavailable or lack adequate training, and health facilities are sometimes without running water or electricity. Obi stressed that without targeted investments in these vulnerable areas, Nigeria will continue to see poor health outcomes that undermine broader economic progress.
Moreover, Obi highlighted the need for the government to focus on preventive care and public health education. Improving awareness about hygiene, vaccination, and disease prevention can drastically reduce the incidence of many common illnesses and lessen the strain on healthcare facilities.
As Nigeria stands at a crossroads, Obi’s message is clear: the health sector must no longer be sidelined if the nation hopes to achieve inclusive growth and social stability. It is time for the government to move beyond rhetoric and commit real resources to fixing the health system.
With the current fiscal surplus, there is no excuse to continue neglecting the health needs of Nigerians. Obi’s appeal is not just a call for increased spending but for smart and transparent management of funds to ensure they translate into real improvements in hospitals, clinics, and health outcomes across the country.
source: news.ng
