SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON EKITI STATE’S 2026 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BUDGET
…Why the ₦68m Claim Misses the Point
Claims circulating on social media that Ekiti State budgeted only ₦68 million for primary health care (PHC) in 2026 are false and misleading.
They present a distorted picture of health financing in the state and ignore both the structure of the budget and the scale of actual investments made over recent years.
The ₦68 million being quoted refers to one narrow capital budget line item under PHC.
It does not represent total PHC funding, total health funding, or the resources available to primary health care through insurance, personnel costs, donor-supported programmes, or local government spending.
For the avoidance of doubt, Primary Health Care (PHC) is primarily the responsibility of the Local Government Areas (LGAs), though in practice it operates under a shared, tripartite responsibility structure involving local, state, and federal governments.
The LGs are responsible for maintenance of PHC centers.
They provide operational expenses required for the delivery of basic services such as immunizations, maternal/child care, and health education.
The State Government Coordinates PHC implementation within the state through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency. They are responsible for supervision, setting up the framework, and supporting local governments with personnel and infrastructure.
*What the 2026 budget actually shows*
Health financing in Ekiti State is spread across multiple agencies and funding streams. In the 2026 budget, the total allocation to the health sector is ₦19.65 billion, covering institutions such as:
1. Ministry of Health
2. Primary Health Care Development Agency
3. Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme (EKHIS)
4. Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital
5. Hospitals Management Board
6. Drugs and Health Supplies Management Agency
7. State Agency for the Control of AIDS
When all health-sector votes are considered together, over ₦2 billion is allocated to primary health care in the 2026 budget alone. This amount excludes state investments in the social determinants of health, such as water and sanitation, which are spread across other Ministries.
The selective focus on ₦68 million is therefore a misrepresentation of the same budget document.
The 2026 health budget will enable the state build on the gains already made and accelerate our goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
*What was actually spent*
Budgets tell only part of the story.
Actual spending shows clearer government priorities:
In 2025, Ekiti State spent over ₦33.7 billion on health, with more than half invested in primary health care.
Major drivers included Ulerawa health insurance payments under EKHIS, renovation of 103 PHCs, commodity procurement, and health worker incentivisation through the World Bank supported IMPACT Project.
Health sector spending in earlier years was also substantial: ₦16.8bn (2024), ₦8.7bn (2023), and ₦25.8bn (2022).
To suggest that ₦68 million reflects the state’s commitment to PHC is therefore demonstrably incorrect.
*Investment in health workers*
Primary health care depends on people, not just buildings:
250 health workers were recruited in 2025, with 150 deployed directly to PHCs. In addition, 300 community health vanguards were recruited to line list every pregnant woman, map them to primary health facilities, and follow up till delivery.
Approval has also been secured for the replacement of over 1,500 health workers, costing ₦1.8 billion annually, most of whom serve at the primary care level.
*Rising utilisation and public trust*
Service use is one of the strongest indicators of system performance:
1. Outpatient visits increased from 1.14 million in 2023 to 2.17 million in 2025.
2. 1.85 million of these visits occurred in primary health care facilities.
3. 722,025 residents are enrolled under the Ulerawa Free Health Insurance Scheme.
In 2025 alone:
1. 10,935 deliveries were conducted free of charge
2. 200,369 children were immunised
3. 104,278 pregnant women received antenatal care
*Impact on health outcomes*
Through state funding, insurance, and the IMPACT Project:
1. Over 736,000 malaria tests and 591,000 treatments were provided free
2. Preventive services reached more than 116,000 pregnant women
These investments have contributed to large reductions in child and maternal mortality across the state.
The claim that Ekiti State budgeted only ₦68 million for primary health care is factually wrong. The evidence shows sustained investment, expanded services, improved staffing, rising utilisation, and better health outcomes.
Public debate on health is important, but it must be grounded in facts. Ekiti State’s health sector record reflects progress and commitment, not neglect, and it deserves to be discussed truthfully.
Signed
Mr. Wale Obelewaji
Information Officer
Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services