An Assessment of Human and Physical Resources in Selected National Health Insurance Scheme Accredited Health Facilities in Ibadan, Nigeria

Poor or inadequate resources have been attributed to inequality of access to, and dissatisfaction with available healthcare services. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of Nigeria was established in the year 2005. However, current population coverage is presently low at less than five percent of the total population. In addition to this, population health indices in almost all the selected areas of the health sector and the United Nations health-related development goals are very poor. Previous national surveys in the public health sector indicated poorly equipped healthcare facilities. This study aimed to assess the present human and material resources as a proxy for quality of care under the NHIS in these facilities. Findings will enable stakeholders to know the degree of need for the infrastructure in the affected health facilities. This could serve as an impetus to address the deficits in the infrastructure’s facility, not only in the study area but also in the health system of the country and other similar settings. This study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. NHIS accredited facilities were selected, one in each of the eleven Local Government Areas within Ibadan metropolis. Data were collected on the state of human and physical infrastructures such as the source of electric power supply, toilet facility, and source of water supply. These were documented as appropriate. Most of the facilities had dilapidated physical infrastructure, sourced water from unsafe sources, and had electricity supply from many sources. Human health resources were inadequate when compared with the facilities’ workload. Inadequate physical and human health resources are major factors that weakened the health system. Aweakened health system can be a hindrance to the achievement of the SDGs. Appropriate steps should be taken to address the deficits.