Determinants of health expenditure in Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined the significance of the determinants of total government health expenditure in Nigeria. The various literature show that improvement of health sector is sine-qua-non to sustainable economic growth and development. Using regression analysis on macroeconomic
data gathered, the results showed that GDP is the most important determinant of health allocation and Literacy rate is insignificant to the degree of total government health expenditure in Nigeria. Consequently, there is need for proper implementation and monitoring of Nigeria
National Health insurance Scheme (NHIS) as an alternative means of funding health in Nigeria, since this will reduce the burden that the government will have to bear as regards financing healthcare of the citizenry. Aside this, there is need for health sector reforms aimed at improving the health of the people and reduce the burden on the government by encouraging more private
sector participation than we have not.