Nigeria ranks 11th of 12 countries with worst healthcare globally  

Nigeria ranks 11th out of the 12 countries with the worst healthcare systems globally.

The recent report release by Legatum Prosperity Index, which assesses countries worldwide, places Nigeria alongside nations grappling with some of the poorest healthcare systems.

“Among the countries listed, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Chad top the rankings as the most challenged in terms of healthcare infrastructure and access, with Nigeria closely following due to its own systemic issues,” the report states.

Nigeria’s position and struggling healthcare system 

Despite being Africa’s most populous country and one of its largest economies, Nigeria continues to face significant healthcare challenges, particularly for lower-income citizens who lack access to basic services.

Francis Ohanyido, a public health expert and director-general of the West Africa Institute of public health said Nigeria’s healthcare system remains heavily strained, unable to keep pace with the needs of its population

“Primary health concerns such as maternal and infant mortality, malaria, and other preventable diseases continue to affect millions.” 

“Nigeria’s 11th-place ranking on the global list reflects not only a lack of funding but also critical gaps in infrastructure and healthcare workforce shortages,” he said.

According to the public expert, even urban facilities, which are better equipped than rural ones, are frequently overwhelmed.

“This leaves the public health system under constant pressure, impacting healthcare quality and accessibility across the country,” explained Ohanyido.

The worst healthcare systems: Conflict and poverty-driven challenges 

The Central African Republic (CAR) tops the Legatum Prosperity Index as the country with the worst healthcare, its system devastated by years of political instability, leaving only 10% of the population with access to basic services.

• South Sudan, ranked second, faces similar challenges, with ongoing civil conflict and economic instability leaving over 75% of residents without healthcare.
• Chad follows, with scarce facilities, especially in rural areas, making treatment inaccessible for many.
• Countries like Lesotho, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, also struggle with underfunded systems and high disease rates, leaving millions without necessary services.
• Other countries on the list, including Swaziland, Liberia, Guinea, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, share these struggles. Many have been impacted by conflict or health crises that weakened their healthcare infrastructure.

For instance, Liberia and Sierra Leone were particularly strained by the Ebola outbreak in 2014, exposing vulnerabilities that persist today.

What You Should Know

The challenges driving Nigeria’s low ranking:

• Nigeria’s healthcare woes are rooted in decades of underfunding and policy inconsistencies.

• Allocations to healthcare remain low relative to the country’s population needs, with government funding primarily focused on salaries rather than improving health infrastructure, medical supplies, or disease prevention programs.
•  Additionally, there is a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, with many trained doctors and nurses opting for better opportunities abroad.
• Preventable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera remain prevalent, exacerbated by limited access to vaccines, poor sanitation, and inadequate public health initiatives.
• Nigeria’s child mortality rate is one of the highest in the world, while maternal mortality also remains alarmingly high, reflecting the inadequacies in maternal health services and the lack of emergency care, particularly in rural regions.