An assessment of the impact of health care expenditure on infant mortality in Nigeria

Abstract

To accomplish favourable health outcomes, especially reducing infant mortality, remains a challenge for Nigeria. The autoregressive distribution lag technique (ARDL) was employed in this study in examining the long-run effect of public health expenditure on under-five mortality in Nigeria. Data were sourced from the World Development Indicators for the period 1990– 2022. The long run result shows that general expenditure on health has a negative and significant impact on infant mortality rate. This shows that the level of income matters in the amount spent on health. Based on the results. 1 unit increase in HEXP will decrease general infant mortality rate by 2.260 units. This is not surprising as greater financial resources and improved living standards means improved healthcare infrastructure, access to medical services, and better health outcomes for individuals and society. The coefficient of SSE has a positive but insignificant impact on GDP per capita. Finally, the coefficient of GDP per capita has a negative and significant impact on infant mortality rate. Based on the result 1 unit increase in GDP per capita will decrease infant mortality rate by 0.100 units. Therefore, this paper recommends an increased funding in the health sector and all-inclusive coverage of the health insurance scheme for Nigerians.