GOVERNMENT HEALTH EXPENDITURE (GHE) AND HEALTH SECTOR PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined government health expenditure (GHE) and health sector (HS) performance from 1981 to 2021. The ex-post facto study examined how GHE affects infant mortality (IM) and life expectancy (LE) in Nigeria. The study's main goal is to examine how GHE (GHE) affects Nigeria's health sector (HS), with research hypotheses stating that the independent variables have no significant effect on IM and LE. ARDL showed mixed integration in the research variables. The analysis used time series data from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, World Bank Development Indicator, Nigeria's budget, CPIA database, and World Medical Association Report, 2021. This study's independent variable is GHE, measured by domestic spending, income per capital, foreign health grants, corruption, health insurance, Health provider (HP) remuneration, and medical consultants. LE and IMR evaluate health sector success. The analysis found that government health domestic spending and income per capital enhanced LE and reduced newborn mortality. Foreign health grants increase LE but decrease IM. Corruption also shortens LE and increases infant mortality. Health insurance again lowered LE. It temporarily lowered Nigeria's newborn mortality rate but greatly raised it. Medical provider remuneration marginally increases LE. It drastically lowers newborn mortality. Medical consultants decrease lifespan and raise IM. In Nigeria, GHE, particularly domestic spending, income per capital and international health grants, increases LE but decreases IM. Thus, the research recommends that Nigeria dedicate 15% of its budget to health to implement the 2001 WHO Abuja Declaration. The Nigerian government should also promote UHC ventures with health care regulators. Finally, Nigeria should institutionalise PPP healthcare.
 Keywords: Health Expenditure, Health Sector Performance and Life Expectancy.