Ekiti Government Clarifies Health Budget, Says Over ₦2 Billion Allocated to Primary Care

The Ekiti State Government has refuted viral social media reports claiming a mere ₦68 million was budgeted for Primary Health Care (PHC) in its 2026 fiscal plan. Officials have labeled the claim as inaccurate and misleading.

In a clarification issued by the State Ministry of Health and Human Services, the government explained that the quoted figure represents only one specific capital expenditure line item, not the total allocation for primary healthcare or the broader health sector.

According to the statement, the total budget for the entire health sector in 2026 stands at ₦19.65 billion. This encompasses all major health agencies, including the Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Development Agency, the State Teaching Hospital, and the Health Insurance Scheme, among others.

The ministry stated that when all direct health-related votes are combined, over ₦2 billion is specifically allocated to primary healthcare in the 2026 budget. This figure excludes complementary investments in areas like water and sanitation managed by other ministries.

The government emphasized that focusing solely on the single ₦68 million line item distorts the true picture, as it ignores personnel costs, health insurance payments, donor-funded programs, and the financial contributions of local governments, who are constitutionally responsible for the day-to-day operation of PHC facilities.

To demonstrate its commitment, the state disclosed that it spent over ₦33.7 billion on health in 2025, with more than half directed to primary healthcare. This included funding for a free health insurance scheme, renovation of 103 primary health centers, and procurement of medical supplies.

The statement also highlighted recent improvements in health workforce and service delivery. In 2025, 250 new health workers were recruited, with 150 deployed to PHC facilities. Outpatient visits at these centers reportedly increased significantly, from 1.14 million in 2023 to 1.85 million in 2025.

Currently, over 722,000 residents are enrolled in the state’s free health insurance program, with thousands of free deliveries, immunizations, and malaria treatments provided annually.

The ministry concluded by urging the public to rely on verified facts in discussions about health sector financing, dismissing the circulating ₦68 million claim as a misrepresentation of its comprehensive health budget.