The Federal Government has launched the 2024 Nigeria National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Report, describing it as a vital tool for evidence-based decision-making and improved health planning in the country.
Speaking at the official launch held at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare's Conference Room in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the report presents a "mixed bag" of findings, revealing progress in some areas, regional disparities, stagnation, and worrying setbacks in key health indicators.
"The 2024 NDHS is an extremely important source of health and demographic data that enables evidence-based policy decisions, monitoring of progress towards set goals like the SDGs, and identification of disparities in key health indicators," Salako said.
According to the Minister, the Total Fertility Rate declined from 5.3 in 2018 to 4.8 children per woman in 2024, while modern contraceptive use among married women increased from 12% to 15%.
"These improvements are important," he noted, "but remain well below the levels we need to secure rapid social and economic gains."
He revealed that antenatal care coverage now stands at 63%, skilled birth delivery at 46%, and postnatal care within two days of delivery has risen to 42%, up from 38% in 2018.
"Too many of our births are still occurring without skilled assistance," Salako said, stressing that the Federal Government is scaling up interventions through the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Initiative (MAMII) and the Nigerian Child Survival Action Plan 2025-2029.
The Minister further disclosed that under-five mortality has dropped from 132 to 110 deaths per 1,000 live births, but neonatal mortality remains high at 41 per 1,000 live births.
On immunization, he said only 39% of children aged 12-23 months are fully vaccinated, while 31% have never received any vaccine, a situation he described as "deeply concerning."
"This underscores the heavy lifting still required to tackle the high burden of zero-dose immunization and disparities in coverage," he added.
Salako also expressed concern over poor diagnosis of non-communicable diseases, saying only 1% of Nigerians aged 15-49 years have ever been told they have high blood sugar, and just 5% of men and 8% of women have been informed about high blood pressure.
"This is in sharp contrast to studies showing the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes at up to 38% and 7%, respectively," he noted.
He said the Federal Government has begun translating the NDHS findings into policy reforms and system-wide improvements aimed at building a more efficient, inclusive, and equitable health system.
"The report is a mirror to see ourselves the way we are, and a map to navigate forward," he said.
Salako commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing health as a key driver of national development through increased funding, executive orders, and reforms aimed at improving Nigeria's health indices.
"The movement to make improvement is the responsibility of all of us," he said, urging state governments, the private sector, development partners, and civil society to "own this report" and collaborate to deliver a 21st-century health system that saves lives.
He thanked partners including USAID, UNFPA, UNICEF, The Global Fund, World Bank, Gates Foundation, WHO, FCDO, and the academia for their roles in the survey.
"Let us continue to work together to utilize this report as a ladder for progress, for impact, and for better health for Nigerians," he said before formally launching the 2024 NDHS Report. "And so, with peace and plenty, Nigeria shall succeed."