By Yunusa Hamza (Tafidan Farin Dutse)
Public healthcare remains one of the most important measures of government performance because it directly affects the wellbeing, productivity, and quality of life of citizens. Across Nigeria, healthcare delivery continues to face numerous challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure and manpower shortages to concerns over affordability and accessibility of services. Despite these challenges, some states are demonstrating that sustained investments and deliberate policy actions can produce measurable improvements in healthcare delivery. Jigawa State presents one such example.
The 2025 healthcare rankings and assessments across the country brought renewed attention to the state of public healthcare in Nigeria. While many states continue to grapple with deficiencies in service delivery and declining public confidence in government-owned health facilities, the rankings also highlighted positive examples where strategic interventions have yielded encouraging results.
Among the states that stood out was Jigawa, which was ranked second among Nigeria’s best-performing states in public hospital care. The ranking reflected the level of satisfaction expressed by residents who access services across the state’s network of Apex healthcare facilities and General Hospitals. It also underscored the growing confidence of citizens in the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of services provided by public health institutions in the state.
This achievement did not occur by chance. Over the years, the Jigawa State Government has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through increased budgetary allocations, infrastructure development, and targeted reforms aimed at improving access to quality medical services.
The state’s 2025 budget further expanded investments in the health sector, reflecting the administration’s recognition of healthcare as a critical component of social and economic development. These investments have translated into the rehabilitation and upgrading of healthcare facilities across the state, particularly at the primary and secondary levels.
One of the most significant aspects of these interventions is the ongoing revitalisation of more than 100 healthcare facilities spread across various communities. Beyond physical renovations, the projects have included the provision of staff accommodation, solar-powered water systems, improved security infrastructure, and other essential facilities that support effective healthcare delivery.
These improvements are particularly important for rural communities where access to healthcare services has historically been limited. By strengthening healthcare facilities at the grassroots level, the government is helping to bridge longstanding gaps in healthcare access while bringing essential services closer to the people.
Equally noteworthy is the state’s investment in specialised healthcare infrastructure. The establishment of advanced diagnostic and cardiac centres reflects a broader vision of reducing dependence on medical referrals outside the state and improving access to specialised medical care for residents.
Such investments demonstrate an understanding that an effective healthcare system requires a balance between strong primary healthcare services and access to advanced medical treatment. While primary healthcare remains the foundation of any healthcare system, specialised services are equally necessary for addressing complex medical conditions and improving overall health outcomes.
The lessons from the 2025 rankings are clear. First, healthcare outcomes improve when governments move beyond policy declarations and commit adequate resources to implementation.
Sustainable progress in healthcare requires consistent funding, effective planning, and strong monitoring mechanisms to ensure that investments translate into better services for citizens.
Second, infrastructure alone is not enough. Investments in healthcare personnel, equipment, training, and accountability systems are equally important. A modern hospital building can only deliver quality care when supported by skilled professionals and functional medical equipment.
Third, primary healthcare remains the cornerstone of public health delivery. Strengthening community-based healthcare facilities reduces pressure on secondary and tertiary institutions while ensuring that citizens can access essential healthcare services close to their homes.
Another important lesson is the role of citizen engagement in improving public service delivery. Public trust in healthcare institutions grows when citizens can see and experience tangible improvements in service delivery. In Jigawa State, efforts to strengthen public participation in governance, including regular sectoral review meetings involving key stakeholders, have contributed to greater accountability and responsiveness within the health sector.
While challenges remain and no healthcare system can be considered perfect, the progress recorded in Jigawa demonstrates that meaningful improvements are achievable through visionary leadership, strategic planning, and sustained investment.
As governments across the country reflect on the findings of the 2025 rankings, the focus should not merely be on positions on a scorecard. Rather, attention should be directed towards building resilient healthcare systems capable of providing quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare services to all citizens.
Ultimately, the true measure of success in public healthcare is not the ranking itself but the confidence of ordinary citizens who can walk into a public hospital and receive timely, dignified, and quality medical attention. That remains the benchmark every state should aspire to achieve.
The experience of Jigawa State serves as a reminder that with political will, prudent resource allocation, and a people-centred approach to governance, significant progress in healthcare delivery is possible. The lessons from the 2025 ranking therefore extend beyond recognition; they provide a roadmap for strengthening public healthcare systems and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians.
Yunusa Hamza (Tafidan Farin Dutse) writes from Farin Dutse, Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, and can be reached via yunusafarindutse@gmail.com.