As the world commemorates World Health Day 2025, the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called on all tiers of government in Nigeria to increase the health budget to 15%.
The executive director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, in a press statement issued Monday said as recommended by the Abuja Declaration, 15% of annual budgets should be allocated to health, with a focus on strengthening infrastructure and human resources.
He said in accordance with the NHIA Act (2022), federal and state governments must begin transparent and accountable subsidisation of healthcare for the most at-risk populations.
He stated that access to quality maternal and child healthcare is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right and upholding the right is essential to securing a future where every child survives and every mother thrives.
He said this urgent measure is necessary to revive the nation’s ailing healthcare system and to fulfill the constitutional mandate of protecting the well-being and human rights for all citizens.
“CHRICED observes with deep concern the slow and insufficient progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria. Currently, less than 5% of Nigerians are enrolled under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), while over 70% continue to pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, an unsustainable and unjust burden for the average Nigerian.
“This is particularly troubling given that in 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Health Insurance Authority Act into law, with Section 14 making health insurance mandatory for all residents.
“CHRICED had anticipated this law would trigger a renewed push to expand health coverage nationwide. However, the lack of enforcement and implementation has led to tragic consequences, such as the recent death of a pregnant woman whose family could not afford the ₦500,000 needed for her delivery.
“These painful stories are not isolated. Countless Nigerians continue to lose their lives or the lives of loved ones due to the prohibitive cost of healthcare and a health system that is increasingly unaffordable, especially for vulnerable groups.
“Despite the provision for a Vulnerable Group Fund under Section 25 of the NHIA Act, groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women still lack access to free or subsidized healthcare.
“The prevailing economic hardship in the country underscores the urgency for government to subsidise healthcare for vulnerable citizens.”