Niger Assembly Committee Flags Healthcare Strain from Influx of Students in Minna

The Niger State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Health, Nutrition, and Primary Health Care has raised the alarm over the mounting pressure on healthcare facilities in Minna, the state capital, following a noticeable influx of students seeking medical attention at various centres.

During an oversight visit to several healthcare establishments in the city, committee members observed that the sheer volume of students present at the facilities was overwhelming existing infrastructure and personnel.

According to the lawmakers, the situation has become critical, with clinics experiencing excessive patient loads that compromise the quality and efficiency of care.

They expressed concern that such congestion, particularly by young people likely accessing routine or preventive services, could lead to delays in attending to emergency cases and vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and infants.

While commending the commitment of health workers despite resource limitations, the committee called for immediate intervention by the state government to address the surge. They urged a review of resource allocation, deployment of additional staff, and possible implementation of structured appointment systems to ease overcrowding.

The lawmakers also hinted at the need for coordination between educational institutions and health authorities to better manage students’ healthcare access without burdening public clinics.

Their findings underscore the broader challenges facing the state’s primary healthcare delivery, including infrastructure gaps, underfunding, and poor planning in response to shifting demographics and population needs. The committee pledged to table their full report before the Assembly and push for urgent reforms to protect the integrity of healthcare services in the state.