Yunusa Hamza
Public healthcare remains one of the most important indicators of government performance, as it directly affects the quality of life, productivity, and well-being of citizens.
Across Nigeria, recent assessments and rankings of healthcare delivery have revealed persistent concerns over infrastructure deficits, manpower shortages, affordability, and accessibility of services.
Yet, amidst these challenges, some states are increasingly demonstrating that strategic investments and political commitment can alter the narrative. Jigawa State offers such instances.
The 2025 healthcare-related rankings and assessments across the country exposed significant governance and service delivery gaps within the public health sector.
Reports showed that public satisfaction with healthcare services remains generally low nationwide, reflecting long-standing concerns over quality, access, and affordability.
Jigawa State has continued to attract attention for its deliberate efforts to strengthen public hospital care through increased budgetary commitments, revitalization of health facilities, and investments in specialized healthcare infrastructure.
The state’s 2025 budget substantially expanded health sector allocations, while government initiatives targeted the rehabilitation and upgrading of primary and secondary healthcare facilities across the state.
Particularly noteworthy is the state’s drive to revitalize over one hundred healthcare facilities, building on previous interventions that improved service delivery at the community level.
These projects have gone beyond physical renovation to include staff accommodation, solar-powered water systems, security enhancements, and expanded healthcare access for rural populations.
Furthermore, the ongoing establishment of advanced medical facilities, including diagnostic and cardiac centers, reflects a broader vision of reducing medical referrals outside the state and positioning Jigawa as a regional healthcare hub. Such investments demonstrate an understanding that quality healthcare requires both functional primary healthcare systems and access to specialized medical services.
The lessons from the 2025 rankings are clear, as Jigawa state was ranked second among the Nation best rated state for public hospital care based on the percentage of residents and individuals spread across the 281 Apex facilities situated in the political wards couple with over 13nos of General Hospital that attested and confirm optimal satisfaction with the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of services as provided by public hospital within their domain.
First, healthcare outcomes improve were governments match policy declarations with sustained funding and implementation, strengthened through adequate infrastructure renewal which was complemented by investments in healthcare personnel, equipment, and accountability systems.
Thus, primary healthcare remains the foundation upon which effective public hospital care is built.
Finally, public trust in healthcare institutions grows as citizens can visibly experience improvements in service delivery, as practiced by his excellency’s policy of strengthening public participation in governance as reflected in the 12 Point agenda and demonstrated through the monthly sector review meeting consisting all major players and stakeholders within the
While challenges remain and no healthcare system can be considered perfect, the Jigawa experience demonstrates that progress is achievable through leadership, strategic planning, and consistent investment.
As states reflect on the findings of the 2025 rankings, the focus should not merely be on positions on a scorecard but on building resilient healthcare systems capable of delivering quality, affordable, and accessible care to every citizen.
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 toward which every state must aspire, and that has been the stronghold of Governor Umar Namadi fca within the span of (3) three consecutive years in providing tangible leadership and all inclusive governance that supported and impacted the large and populous residents irrespective of their affiliation.
This piece is contributed by Yunusa Hamza (Tafidam Farin Dutse) and could be reached via yunusafarindutse@gmail.com
