Decline in Diagnostic Accuracy Among Nigerian Health Workers

The National Bureau of Statistics released a report indicating a decline in diagnostic accuracy among clinic health workers in Nigeria, falling from 56.2% in 2023 to 46.1% in 2025. The survey assessed diagnostic accuracy using vignettes across five priority diseases: diarrhoea, pneumonia, malaria, postpartum haemorrhage, and asphyxia.

The North East region recorded the highest diagnostic accuracy at 54.3%, while the South West had the lowest at 36.7%. At the state level, Zamfara achieved the highest accuracy at 79.0%, and Osun the lowest at 13.4%.

Secondary health facilities performed better with 68.1% accuracy compared to 44.6% in primary facilities. The report also noted uneven compliance with clinical guidelines, with Borno having the highest compliance at 70.2% and Osun the lowest at 41.3%.

The availability of essential drugs and medical equipment remains a challenge, with significant infrastructural gaps across various states.