The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled the 2025 National Health Facility Survey(NHFS), highlighting significant progress in service delivery while identifying key gaps requiring urgent attention.

Dr. Iziak Salako, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, said in Abuja that the survey provided critical insights into the current state of maternal and reproductive health services across the country.

According to him, family planning and counselling services during care were found to be widely available in most health facilities assessed.

Salako added that vaccination services were also broadly accessible, while approximately 70 per cent of public health facilities offer delivery services, reflecting widespread availability of maternal care.

The minister further noted that growth monitoring services for children were widely available, supporting child health and nutrition nationwide.

“In addition, most vaccines under the National Immunisation Programme are available in about 50 per cent of the facilities assessed, indicating ongoing efforts to sustain immunisation services,” he said.

On measures to address identified gaps, the minister emphasised the need to mobilise more domestic resources for the health sector.

He said the government was working with the National Assembly to increase the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent of the consolidated revenue.

Salako also highlighted plans to expand health insurance coverage, particularly private health insurance, to drive additional investment into the sector.

According to him, the government is leveraging digital health technology to improve service delivery, including remote consultations and better monitoring of healthcare workers.

“With digital health, a doctor in Abuja can consult with a patient in Damaturu. It also allows for improved patient follow-up and appointment reminders,” he said.

He added that increased funding, adoption of technology and improved health literacy among citizens would significantly reduce illness and the burden on health facilities.

“So, with increased funding digital technology we can close some of those gaps and of course we also must increase the level of literacy that is available to the people.

“When people are literate health wise, they’re able to also on their own take action and when they take action can significantly reduce illnesses and the need to go to hospital.”

Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO, National Bureau of Statistics(NBS), said the survey report had generated adequate data to guide health policies in Nigeria.

Adeniran, represented by David Babalola, Director of the Agricultural and Business Enterprise Department of the bureau, said the report would help identify areas of strength and weakness, as well as sectors requiring targeted interventions.

According to him, the NBS will continue to collaborate with government and non-governmental organisations to provide evidence-based data for informed decision-making.

Speaking on the sidelines, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Surahudeen Abolade, said the exercise was designed to assess the readiness and availability of services in health facilities nationwide.

Abolade, who is also the Head, Gender and Social Statistics Department, NBS, explained that the goal was to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services in conducive environments.

“The essence of the National Health Facility Survey is to provide data on the readiness of health facilities and availability of services, so that the population can enjoy quality healthcare in a serene environment,” he said.

The 2025 NHFS was conducted by the NBS in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with technical support from the World Bank.

The 2025 survey builds on earlier rounds conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2023.

According to the report, 3,330 health facilities were selected and visited across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with a nominal sample of 90 facilities per state and the FCT.

It said coverage extended to public primary and secondary health facilities as well as private facilities.(NAN)