The Health Policy Research Group from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has called on the Enugu State Government to take decisive action to address the issue of health workers' absenteeism in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state. This appeal was made during a stakeholders' policy dialogue on addressing health workers' absenteeism and strengthening accountability in PHC facilities in Enugu. The event provided a platform for representatives of the Enugu State Ministry of Health, Primary Healthcare Agency, National Health Insurance Authority, community leaders, and media professionals to discuss the issue.
The Coordinator of the Health Policy Research Group, Obinna Onwujekwe, a professor, stated that the dialogue aimed to present research findings and engage policymakers and stakeholders on practical measures to reduce absenteeism among health workers. The research identified transportation challenges, inadequate workplace support, and limited community involvement as some of the factors contributing to absenteeism in PHC facilities. Mr. Onwujekwe emphasized that the group prioritized three interventions that could improve health workers' attendance and service delivery, including providing transportation support, workplace support systems, and community involvement.
According to Mr. Onwujekwe, the research demonstrated that combining the three interventions could significantly reduce absenteeism and improve healthcare delivery. The policy dialogue was intended to translate research evidence into practical government policies and programs. He expressed optimism that implementing the recommendations would ensure that residents seeking medical attention at PHC facilities meet health workers on duty. The coordinator acknowledged the efforts of Governor Peter Mbah in building PHCs but stressed that the research and policy dialogue would help ensure that health workers are constantly on duty at the facilities.
The research, conducted from August 2025 to January 2026, was carried out in four PHC facilities in Nsukka, Igbo-Etiti, Enugu North, and Nkanu West Local Government Areas, with eight other facilities serving as control locations. The study found that 100 per cent of health workers in intervention facilities regularly completed attendance registers, compared with 90 per cent in control facilities. Additionally, 15.4 per cent of workers in intervention facilities left before their shifts ended, compared with 48 per cent in control facilities.
Pamela Ogbozor, a research associate, presented the research findings and warned that absenteeism could expose patients to complications, death, and workload with few on duty. She listed types of absenteeism to include workers failing to report for duty, arriving late, or leaving before the end of their shifts. A representative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Stephen Obi, described absenteeism and ghost workers as serious challenges to healthcare delivery.
The Enugu State Government has introduced a clock-in system to monitor health workers' attendance at PHCs, which Mr. Onwujekwe praised as a recognition of the challenges posed by absenteeism. However, he argued that addressing the problem requires multiple strategies beyond attendance monitoring. The coordinator expressed hope that the government would utilize the research evidence to strengthen its interventions against absenteeism.
Participants at the dialogue, including Alex Ugwu, chairman of the Ward Development Committee at Hilltop PHC Ngwo, lauded the program, stating that it had broadened their knowledge about ways to tackle absenteeism at PHCs. Mr. Ugwu hailed the research group, noting that the outcome of previous research had resulted in government policies that improved healthcare service delivery in his community's PHC.
Key points
- The Health Policy Research Group recommends three interventions to address absenteeism: providing transportation support, workplace support systems, and community involvement.
- The research found that combining the three interventions could significantly reduce absenteeism and improve healthcare delivery.
- The Enugu State Government has introduced a clock-in system to monitor health workers' attendance at PHCs.
