HEALTHCARE INEQUALITY IN NIGERIA: STRUCTURAL BARRIERS AND POLICY SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, yet for millions, it remains an unrealized promise. Profound disparities in healthcare quality and access persist, creating a landscape of deep-seated inequality between the affluent urban population and the impoverished rural majority. This article argues that these inequities are not accidental but are systemic, embedded within the structural fabric of the nation's socio-economic and healthcare systems. It provides a critical analysis of the primary legal and policy frameworks designed to ensure equity, including the National Health Act 2014 and the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, and finds their efficacy critically undermined by failures in governance, funding, and implementation. By dissecting these structural barriers, from geographical isolation to socio-cultural norms, this paper exposes the gap between legislative intent and the reality of healthcare delivery. Ultimately, it proffers a comprehensive policy framework aimed at dismantling these barriers to advance the goal of true health equity for all Nigerians.