FG Unveils Health Facility Survey 70% Offer Child Delivery Services

• 30% of hospital facilities to enjoy stable electricity by 2027

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government yesterday launched the National Health Facility Survey – 2025, highlighting the state of affairs regarding maternal reproductive health, family planning, vaccination, child health and nutrition.

It stated that the report of the survey indicated that 70 percent of public health facilities offer child delivery services, reflecting broad availability and growth monitoring services for children.

The unveiling of the facility survey came just as the federal government said it was targeting to ensure that at least 30 percent of public health facilities enjoy stable electricity supply.

Speaking at the ceremony marking the World Health Day in Abuja, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said immunisation services are widely provided in most of the public health facilities,

He said the ministry was working to ensure a swift response to any health emergency in the country.

On the current state of health service delivery as of November, Salako said while the survey showed that immunisation services are widely provided, “ approximately 70 percent of public facilities offer delivery services, reflecting broad availability, growth monitoring services for children.”

“While vaccination is widely provided, it was also found that approximately 70 percent of public facilities offer delivery services, reflecting broad availability, growth monitoring services for children are also widely available, supporting child health and nutrition.

“In addition, most vaccines in the National Immunisation programme are available in about 50 percent of the facilities that were assessed indicating ongoing efforts to sustain it within the organisation,” he said.

Salako said this year’s theme for World Health Day, “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” was both timely and profound as it calls on governments, scientists, health professionals, and communities to ensure that health policies and decisions are guided by evidence, research, and scientific collaboration

The Minister used the occasion to reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to tackling challenges of the health sector through the implementation of reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said there was remarkable improvement in budget releases to the ministry and all its agencies and departments.

He also said disbursements through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund have continued steadily, with about N215 billion disbursed since 2023.

Answering questions on progress being made at local vaccine production, the Minister said there was a progressive movement towards being able to do local vaccine production.

“Well, I think that first you must know that the agency of government, National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and control, NÀFDAC, which is in charge of the regulatory mechanisms for production of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and consumables, as increasingly meeting global standards, to the extent that, as we speak, we are on maturity level three, one of the five or six Africa countries that is at that level in the continent,” he added.

In the area of health insurance, Salaki said a report showed that more than 21.7 million Nigerians are now covered under various health insurance schemes representing almost 33 percent growth from late 2023.

In his goodwill message, WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Dr. Pavel Ursu, said there are still significant challenges facing the healthcare system in Nigeria.

He said while many people still lack access to essential health services, preventable maternal and child deaths persist.

“Emerging health threats, climate-related risks and antimicrobial resistance continue to test the resilience of health systems. At the same time, inequities and declining trust in science risk slowing progress.

“These challenges cannot be addressed in isolation. They require a shared commitment across sectors, disciplines and communities,” he said.

Earlier in her Opening remark the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachallom, said the ministry of health has over the years pursued transformative policies and programmes meant to.improve the health and well-being of Nigerians.

She said the journey to attain health for all Nigerians requires collaboration of all stakeholders.