Abia Tops National Health Preparedness Index Under Otti’s Leadership

Abia State has emerged as Nigeria’s most health-prepared state in the 2025 SBM Health Preparedness Index (HPI), reflecting what observers describe as Governor Alex Otti’s growing emphasis on healthcare investment and infrastructure renewal.

According to the latest HPI report released on Thursday, Abia scored 26.85 out of 100, the highest among Nigeria’s 36 states, marking the first time the state would occupy the top position since the index was introduced.

The report attributes the performance to Abia’s strong budgetary commitment to health, noting that the state allocated 14.8 per cent of its total 2024 budget to the sector — among the highest in the country. Abia also recorded the highest health spending per capita (₦22,926 or $15.65) and one of Nigeria’s best Human Development Index (HDI) scores at 0.674.

“The highest score recorded across all 36 states is 26.85 (Abia State), indicating that no state in Nigeria achieved up to a 30 per cent rating for health preparedness. This finding underscores the country’s overall vulnerability,” the report noted.

The SBM Health Preparedness Index assesses each state’s ability to respond to health emergencies and deliver efficient healthcare services. It measures key indicators such as doctor-to-population ratio, child mortality rate, HDI, and per capita health spending.

Other top performers in the 2025 index include Ogun (23.52), Lagos (23.08) and Osun (22.26) — all of which the report said “have maintained consistent investment in health.”

In contrast, the lowest-ranking states were Kebbi (13.31), Katsina (12.54) and Ebonyi (12.85) — placing a southern state among the bottom five for the first time.

The report also highlighted the worsening “Japa syndrome,” describing it as a “catastrophic crisis driven by the mass exodus of medical professionals.” It revealed that Nigeria’s average doctor-to-patient ratio now stands at 1:15,361, far below the World Health Organisation’s recommendation. Bauchi was identified as the worst-performing state in this regard with a ratio of 1:54,249.

Governor Otti, during the presentation of the ₦750 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill, pledged robust funding for the health sector, announcing projects worth billions of naira. These include:

₦13 billion for rehabilitation and equipping of four General Hospitals,

₦9 billion for procurement of medical equipment across health facilities,

₦8.6 billion for construction of the permanent site of the Abia State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Aba,

₦5 billion for establishing a new College of Nursing Sciences at Umunneato General Hospital, and

₦4 billion for rehabilitation and reticulation of pipelines under the Umuahia Regional Water Scheme to enhance access to potable water.

The HPI commended Abia’s “relative strength and fiscal discipline in the health sector,” noting that the state “sets a standard for commitment and governance in public health planning.”

While many states — especially in the North — continue to battle infrastructural and personnel challenges, the report said Abia’s achievement demonstrates that “consistent funding and clear policy direction can produce measurable progress in public health outcomes.”