Health Infrastructure Development and its Influence on Mortality Incidence in Nigeria

This study explores the impact of health infrastructure development on mortality incidence in Nigeria, focusing on infant mortality, under-five mortality, and maternal mortality rates. Using a time series dataset from 2003 to 2023 sourced from the World Bank, the study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze the relationship between health infrastructure variables and mortality outcomes. The analysis is framed within the Health Production Function theory, which asserts that improvements in health infrastructure directly contribute to better health outcomes by enhancing the efficiency of health care delivery. The findings indicate that the number of physicians, nurses, and midwives significantly reduces both infant and under-five mortality rates. Conversely, inadequate access to basic water services, sanitation facilities, and insufficient hospital bed spaces are associated with higher mortality rates among infants and children under five years old. For maternal mortality, the study reveals that both water and sanitation services exacerbate the mortality rate, while the current number of physicians and hospital bed spaces is insufficient to address the issue effectively. The empirical results from the ARDL model suggest that while there is a long-run relationship between health infrastructure and mortality incidence, substantial policy interventions are needed. Recommendations include increasing government health expenditure to meet and exceed the UNESCO recommended 16% of total expenditure, enhancing preventive health care infrastructure such as potable water and sanitation facilities, and fostering greater international cooperation to address the existing infrastructure deficits. This study underscores the critical importance of health infrastructure development in reducing mortality rates and aligns with the Health Production Function theory by demonstrating how improved health infrastructure enhances the overall efficiency of health care delivery. The insights provided are essential for policymakers aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce mortality rates in Nigeria.