The House of Representatives has requested the federal government to declare a health emergency and give the sector a large amount of funding in the budget estimates for 2024.

This was in response to a motion made in the Abuja plenary.

The motion’s title read, “Need for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to collaborate with pertinent state and local health agencies to ensure the functionality of Primary Healthcare Centers.”

Oluwatoyin, a representative for Lagos State’s Mushin Federal Constituency II, remarked that despite having the continent’s largest population, Nigeria suffers from disturbingly high rates of deteriorated healthcare services.

According to him, Nigeria would have roughly 39,983 hospitals and clinics by the year 2020, with primary healthcare facilities making up about 34,000 of those, or 86 percent.

However, he claimed that only 20% of these primary healthcare institutions are actually operational, especially in remote areas with inadequate facilities and staff.

He said that the number of fatalities in hospitals has increased due to a lack of beds, electrical systems, qualified staff, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and road networks.

The House additionally requested the Federal Ministry of Health to form a task force to end acute medical misconduct in cooperation with State ministries, LGAs, and other stakeholders.