By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado-Ekiti
The Ekiti State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that it allocated only ₦68 million to Primary Health Care (PHC) in its 2026 budget, describing the figure as misleading and a gross misrepresentation of the health sector financing framework.
In a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight on Ekiti State’s 2026 Primary Health Care Budget,” the state said the ₦68 million being referenced represents only one narrow capital line item and does not reflect total funding available to primary health care in the state.
The statement which was signed by the press officer of the ministry of health, Wale Obelewaji put up the explanation to the issue.
According to the Ministry of Health, PHC financing in Ekiti operates under a tripartite structure involving local, state and federal governments, with Local Government Areas (LGAs) bearing primary responsibility for the maintenance and day-to-day operations of PHC centres.
“The ₦68 million figure does not represent total PHC funding, total health sector allocation, personnel costs, insurance-based financing, donor-supported programmes or local government spending,” the statement clarified.
₦19.65bn Health Sector Allocation in 2026
The government disclosed that the total allocation to the health sector in the 2026 budget stands at ₦19.65 billion, spread across key agencies and institutions including the Ministry of Health, the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme (EKHIS), Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Hospitals Management Board and other health-related agencies.
When all relevant votes are aggregated, the state said over ₦2 billion is allocated specifically to primary health care in the 2026 budget, excluding investments in water, sanitation and other social determinants of health captured under other ministries.
“The selective emphasis on ₦68 million is therefore a distortion of the same budget document,” the ministry noted, adding that the allocations are aimed at accelerating the state’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Actual Spending Shows Deeper Commitment
Beyond budgetary provisions, the government pointed to actual expenditure as clearer evidence of its priorities.
In 2025 alone, Ekiti State reportedly spent over ₦33.7 billion on health, with more than half of the amount invested in primary health care through health insurance payments under the Ulerawa Scheme, renovation of 103 PHC centres, procurement of medical commodities and health worker incentives under the World Bank-supported IMPACT Project.
Health sector spending in previous years was also highlighted as ₦16.8 billion in 2024, ₦8.7 billion in 2023 and ₦25.8 billion in 2022.
“To suggest that ₦68 million reflects the state’s commitment to primary health care is demonstrably incorrect,” the statement stressed.
Strengthening the Health Workforce
The government further disclosed significant investments in manpower, noting that 250 health workers were recruited in 2025, with 150 deployed directly to PHC facilities.
Additionally, 300 Community Health Vanguards were engaged to track pregnant women, link them to PHC facilities and ensure follow-up until delivery. Approval has also been secured for the replacement of over 1,500 health workers, costing about ₦1.8 billion annually, most of whom serve at the primary care level.
Rising Utilisation, Improved Outcomes
Data released by the ministry showed rising public confidence in the health system, with outpatient visits increasing from 1.14 million in 2023 to 2.17 million in 2025, out of which 1.85 million visits occurred at PHC facilities.
Under the Ulerawa Free Health Insurance Scheme, 722,025 residents are currently enrolled. In 2025 alone, 10,935 deliveries were conducted free of charge, 200,369 children immunised, and 104,278 pregnant women received antenatal care.
The government also reported over 736,000 free malaria tests, 591,000 treatments, and preventive services reaching more than 116,000 pregnant women, contributing to significant reductions in maternal and child mortality across the state.
Call for Fact-Based Public Debate
Signing the statement, Mr. Wale Obelewaji, Information Officer at the Ekiti State Ministry of Health and Human Services, said public discourse on health financing must be anchored on facts rather than selective figures.
“Ekiti State’s health sector record reflects sustained investment, expanded services, improved staffing, rising utilisation and better health outcomes. It deserves to be discussed truthfully,” he said.