National Bureau of Statistics has reported a decline in diagnostic accuracy among clinical health workers in Nigeria’s public health facilities, dropping from 56.2 per cent in 2023 to 46.1 per cent in 2025.
The findings were published in the National Health Facility Survey released in Abuja, offering updated insights into healthcare quality and service delivery across the country.
The report evaluated diagnostic accuracy using clinical scenarios covering five priority conditions—diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, postpartum haemorrhage, and asphyxia—and pointed to ongoing challenges in clinical decision-making nationwide.
Regional analysis showed the North-East recorded the highest accuracy at 54.3 per cent, while the South-West ranked lowest at 36.7 per cent, highlighting clear disparities.
At the state level, Zamfara had the highest performance with 79.0 per cent, while Osun recorded the lowest at 13.4 per cent, underscoring wide gaps in healthcare capacity.
The report also revealed that secondary health facilities performed better, with 68.1 per cent accuracy, compared to 44.6 per cent in primary facilities.
By professional category, doctors had the highest diagnostic accuracy at 74.3 per cent, followed by nurses and midwives at 56.3 per cent, while other health worker groups performed lower overall.
“Community Health Extension Workers at 43.7 per cent, and other health workers at 32.3 per cent.”
The survey further indicated moderate adherence to clinical guidelines, though levels varied significantly across regions.
The North-East again led with 62.9 per cent compliance, while the South-West recorded the lowest at 46.9 per cent.
“Borno recorded the highest state-level compliance at 70.2 per cent, with Osun recording the lowest at 41.3 per cent.”
It also found low adherence to physical examination guidelines nationwide, at just 31.0 per cent, pointing to persistent weaknesses in clinical practice.
On essential medicines, availability rose slightly to 37.4 per cent in 2025 from 35.0 per cent in 2023, with secondary facilities outperforming primary ones.
“Primary facilities recorded 36.2 per cent availability, while secondary facilities had 60.6 per cent.”
The report noted that Edo had the highest drug availability at 57.3 per cent, while Katsina recorded the lowest.
Regionally, the South-West had the highest availability at 42.3 per cent, while the North-West recorded the lowest at 31.0 per cent.
Basic medical equipment availability stood at 36.9 per cent nationwide, with a sharp gap between primary and secondary facilities.
Some states, including Bauchi, Borno, Ebonyi, Gombe, Jigawa, Ondo, Sokoto, Katsina, and the FCT, recorded full availability, while Osun had the lowest at 9.1 per cent.
The report also highlighted infection prevention measures, noting that most facilities had safety boxes, gloves, and hand-washing units, though gaps remain.
“However, only 26.5 per cent had long-lasting insecticidal nets or LLIN vouchers, indicating weak malaria prevention readiness in facilities.”
The survey was conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, with support from the World Bank.
It covered 3,330 health facilities across all 36 states and the FCT, including public and private institutions, providing a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s healthcare system and its ongoing challenges.
