Over $272 million worth of COVID-19 equipment procured for Nigeria since 2020 remains largely underutilised, with approximately 70 percent of oxygen concentrators yet to be deployed for medical use, according to the Global Fund.
These vital tools, meant to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, have allegedly been left in storage at various medical facilities across the country.
Oxygen concentrators, designed to assist patients struggling with breathing difficulties, are currently sitting idle in central medical stores.
Ibrahim Tajudeen, the Coordinator of the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund, expressed disappointment during an advocacy-focused media meeting organised by the Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN) in Abuja. He lamented that the country has failed to fully utilise the resources provided since 2020 to address the pandemic.
Tajudeen highlighted the importance of optimising these investments, stating, “While we have made significant progress in strengthening health systems across the 36 states and the FCT, findings reveal that much of the equipment procured for pandemic preparedness remains unused.
About 70 percent of these oxygen concentrators are still locked away in state medical stores or teaching hospitals.”
A representative from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare disclosed that Nigeria received over $272 million in COVID-related grants for the period between 2020 and 2025.
These funds were aimed at pandemic preparedness, mitigating the effects of the crisis, and supporting the delivery of services for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
The disruption of health services during the peak of the pandemic led to initiatives such as the establishment of laboratories and procurement of oxygen equipment.
However, despite these efforts, much of the equipment remains inaccessible, raising concerns about the efficiency of Nigeria’s healthcare response.
Adding to the issue, ACOMIN’s National Coordinator, Ayo Ipinmoye, pointed out that security challenges in rural healthcare facilities are affecting operations.
He emphasised that communities should play an active role in securing both health workers and hospital infrastructure, suggesting the establishment of neighbourhood watch programs and the hiring of security personnel.
Ipinmoye also noted that theft, vandalism, and violence in these facilities, along with staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and poor maintenance, have drastically reduced the quality of healthcare services, impacting the morale of health workers and patients alike.
Without urgent action, the unused equipment and lack of security could further hinder Nigeria’s ability to cope with both ongoing and future health emergencies.
