Healthcare Access Challenges among Internally Displaced Populations in Nigeria 

Millions of Nigerians have been forced to leave their homes because of conflict, insecurity, flooding, and communal violence. Many of these individuals and families now live in temporary camps or crowded host communities as internally displaced persons (IDPs).

While displacement affects nearly every part of life, one of the biggest challenges faced by IDPs is access to healthcare. For many displaced families, getting medical care is difficult, expensive, or sometimes completely unavailable.

Improving healthcare access for displaced populations is essential for protecting lives, reducing disease outbreaks, and strengthening community well-being across Nigeria.

Who Are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)?

Internally displaced persons are people who are forced to leave their homes due to violence, disasters, or insecurity but remain within their country.

In Nigeria, displacement has been linked to:

• Armed conflict and insurgency

• Bandit attacks and communal clashes

• Flooding and environmental disasters

• Economic and security instability

Many displaced families lose not only their homes, but also their jobs, social support systems, and access to healthcare services.

Why Healthcare Access Becomes Difficult After Displacement

When people are displaced, healthcare systems around them are often disrupted. Clinics may be too far away, understaffed, poorly equipped, or unable to handle the large number of people needing care.

Some IDP camps have only limited health services, while others depend heavily on humanitarian organizations and temporary outreach programs.

As a result, many people delay seeking treatment until their condition becomes severe.

Common Healthcare Challenges Faced by IDPs

1. Limited Access to Hospitals and Clinics

One of the biggest problems is the lack of nearby healthcare facilities. Even where clinics exist, they may not have enough:

• Doctors and nurses

• Essential medicines

• Medical equipment

• Laboratory services

People living with long-term conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, HIV, or sickle cell disease may miss regular treatment because of displacement.

Without consistent care, these illnesses can become life-threatening.

2. Maternal and Child Health Risks

Pregnant women and children are among the most vulnerable groups in displacement settings.

Many women struggle to access the following:

• Antenatal care

• Skilled birth attendants

• Emergency obstetric services

• Postnatal care

Children in overcrowded camps are also at higher risk of:

• Malnutrition

• Malaria

• Respiratory infections

• Diarrheal diseases

• Vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles

Poor living conditions can allow infectious diseases to spread quickly, especially among children under five years old.

3. Poor Water and Sanitation Conditions

Access to clean water and proper sanitation remains a major challenge in many displacement camps.

When clean water and hygiene facilities are limited, communities face increased risk of:

• Cholera

• Typhoid fever

• Diarrhea

• Skin infections

Simple preventive measures such as handwashing, safe waste disposal, and clean drinking water become difficult in overcrowded environments.

4. Mental Health and Emotional Trauma

Displacement often causes deep emotional stress. Many displaced persons have experienced:

• Violence

• Loss of loved ones

• Destruction of homes

• Financial hardship

• Fear and uncertainty

These experiences can affect mental health and emotional well-being.

Common mental health concerns among displaced populations include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Sleep problems

• Social withdrawal

Unfortunately, mental health services are still limited in many humanitarian settings, and stigma may prevent people from asking for help.

5. Financial Barriers to Healthcare

Even when healthcare services are available, many displaced families cannot afford the costs associated with treatment.

Expenses such as:

• Transportation

• Medications

• Laboratory tests

• Hospital admission fees

can become major obstacles for families who have lost their sources of income.

As a result, preventable illnesses may worsen before medical attention is sought.

6. Limited Health Education and Awareness

Health education plays an important role in disease prevention, but many displaced communities have limited access to reliable health information.

People may lack guidance on:

• Infection prevention

• Medication use

• Nutrition

• Maternal health

• Childcare practices

• Mental health support

Community-based health education programs can help improve health outcomes and encourage early treatment-seeking behavior.

Why This Matters Beyond IDP Camps

Healthcare challenges among displaced populations affect not only IDPs but also surrounding communities and the broader healthcare system.

When vaccination rates are low or infectious diseases spread in overcrowded settings, outbreaks can extend beyond camps and place additional pressure on local hospitals and clinics.

Improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations therefore benefits entire communities.

What Can Be Done?

Addressing healthcare challenges among internally displaced populations requires long-term collaboration between government agencies, healthcare professionals, NGOs, local communities, and international partners.

Important areas of focus include:

Strengthening Primary Healthcare Services

Mobile clinics, outreach programmes, and better-equipped health centres can improve access to essential care.

Improving Maternal and Child Healthcare

Expanding immunisation services, nutrition programmes, antenatal care, and safe delivery services can help reduce preventable deaths.

Expanding Mental Health Support

Mental health and psychosocial services should be integrated into humanitarian healthcare programmes.

Improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education is critical for preventing disease outbreaks.

Supporting Community Health Education

Health education programmes delivered in local languages can improve disease prevention and encourage healthier practices.

Strengthening Partnerships

Partnerships between NGOs, healthcare workers, governments, and development organisations are essential for creating sustainable solutions.

Conclusion

Internally displaced populations in Nigeria continue to face serious healthcare challenges that affect their safety, dignity, and quality of life.

From limited medical services and poor sanitation to mental health struggles and financial hardship, displaced families often experience multiple barriers to care at the same time.

Improving healthcare access for vulnerable communities is not only a humanitarian responsibility; it is also an important step toward building stronger, healthier, and more resilient societies.

With coordinated action, inclusive policies, and sustained investment in community health systems, meaningful progress is possible.