Why Policy Matters: Reforms Lead to a Healthy Outlook for Nigerians

Less than 5 percent of Nigerians have health insurance and more than half of Nigerians live on less than two dollars a day. This, combined with high out-of-pocket health expenses, mean that women, children, and their families are unable to access quality healthcare. The result? Nigeria has some of the worst rates of maternal and child mortality. Under new reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s primary health system and providing financial protections, things are starting to change. Primary healthcare centers around the country are improving their quality of care. They are beginning to see their electricity restored, more medical supplies stocked, and more patients arriving for services. If implementation is accelerated, these reforms could also lead to dramatic drops in child and mortality rates. Watch this short film to learn more about why policy matters for Nigerians and download this publication for more information.