PETROL SCARCITY AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTERS IN BWARI, ABUJA (EVIDENCE FROM PRESIDENT AHMED TINUBU ADMINISTRATION)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Since 1978, the idea of Primary Health Care (PHC) has undergone multiple reinterpretations and redefinitions, resulting in a lack of clarity on the word and its implementation. A concise and straightforward definition has been established to streamline the coordination of future primary healthcare (PHC) initiatives on a global, national, and local scale, and to provide guidance for their execution: The concept of Primary Health Care (PHC) is a comprehensive approach to health that strives to achieve the utmost level of health and well-being, while ensuring fair distribution. It emphasises addressing people's needs as early as possible, starting from health promotion and disease prevention, and extending to treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care (WHO, 2015) cited by Udoka (2020). Additionally, PHC aims to provide these services as close as possible to individuals' everyday environment. An outlook for primary health care in the 21st century: Moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Primary Health Care (PHC) is comprised of three interrelated and synergistic components. Firstly, it entails delivering complete integrated health services that include primary care and public health commodities and functions as fundamental elements. Secondly, it involves executing multi-sectoral policies and actions to tackle the fundamental and wider elements that impact health. Lastly, it entails actively engaging and empowering individuals, families, and communities to enhance social involvement and enhance their capacity to self-care and depend on their own resources for health (WHO, 2015) cited by Udoka (2020). These elements cannot be implemented due to insufficient availability to petroleum.

Nigeria depends heavily on fuel for infrastructural development and scarcity of fuel will negatively impact economic growth and development. The healthcare sector is not immune from the effect of the recurrent fuel scarcity in Nigeria (Omoh, 2021). In 2023 alone, there was a 265% increase in fuel prices as there were fluctuations between official and unofficial rates (Angelo, 2024). Although there are few recent studies that establish a direct correlation between the scarcity of fuel and the quality of healthcare services, there is some evidence that increase in oil prices can have attendant consequences for healthcare (Stephen et al., 2020). Oil is known to be a critical input into the production of health at both the individual and population levels. The healthcare system depends on fuel for essential services like power supply, powering life-saving medical equipment, and transportation (Omoh, 2021).

It is widely known that the electricity situation in Nigeria is unreliable and characterised by frequent power outages, which is unacceptable in any healthcare facility. When there is a lack of consistent and dependable power source, fuel becomes the subsequent option for generating electricity (Rofia, 2017). Electricity is essential for operating fundamental services in health-care institutions, including lighting, communications, and clean water supply. Dependable electricity is also essential for the medical apparatus required to safely handle delivery or guarantee immunisation, as well as for carrying out the majority of routine and urgent procedures (WHO, 2015) cited by Akpan (2021). Dependable energy supplies, especially in the form of electricity, plays a crucial role in facilitating universal health coverage.

The new administration, led by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has pledged to fully liberalise the downstream oil sector or abolish all petrol subsidies in the country. Within a 30-minute timeframe following the president's address, there is an immediate rise in fuel prices, as well as an increase in transportation, food, and manufacturing expenses(Cindy et al., 2023). The cessation of fuel subsidies has led to a shortage of fuel, negatively impacting small businesses, workers, and students. Additionally, primary healthcare centres in Bwari, Abuja have also been affected by these shortages. This study aims to examine the limited availability of petrol and its impact on primary healthcare centres in Bwari, Abuja. (evidence from President Ahmed Tinubu administration).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The acknowledgment of fuel as a limited global resource has stimulated growing curiosity in the connection between petrol shortage and public health (Ella, 2023). Primary health centers are an essential yet easily susceptible part of the public health infrastructure. These frontline agencies are currently experiencing significant limitations in resources and heavily depend on petrol for essential health services that target the general people. In light of this situation, the shortage of petrol may require the need to modify local primary health service strategies.

The current economic conditions provide valuable information on the potential effects that PHC could experience in the event of future economic downturns caused by a shortage of petroleum. The results of a study conducted in early 2020 revealed that Primary Health Care centers had a workforce reduction of around 15% between January 2018 and December 2019 due to budget reductions (Damola, 2021). A significant number of employees who are still working have experienced furloughs and reductions in their working hours. Consequently, Primary Health Care centres sometimes struggle to provide services due to insufficient staffing. Approximately 50% of all Primary Health Care centers expected additional reductions in their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Undoubtedly, with the increase in gasoline costs, the primary effect that PHCs will face is a more severe restriction on their already limited budgets.

PHCs, located at the forefront of providing health services to the community, are an essential but increasingly vulnerable part of government infrastructure (Rachael, 2019). PHCs have been compelled to accomplish more with limited resources due to a combination of financial deficits, changing demographics in the public health sector, and additional emergency response requirements. In light of these existing difficulties, geologists and economists have forecasted that worldwide petroleum production is expected to reach its maximum level in the near future, while the global demand for petroleum continues to increase. This will result in a widening disparity between supply and demand, leading to an upward trend in prices. Increasing petroleum prices are likely to cause economic stagnation and contraction, leading to a decrease in demand and a slight reduction in prices. This cycle will continue until there is an economic rebound, at which point prices will rise again, starting the cycle afresh. Each iteration will progressively weaken the economy (Chloe et al., 2019)

The public health consequences of these economic hardships will be compounded by the health effects of global climate change. These effects include heightened occurrences of extreme weather events, droughts, and floods, as well as difficulties in maintaining food and water supplies. Additionally, air quality will deteriorate, heat waves will become more frequent and severe, and the risks of infectious diseases will rise (Ola, 2023)

The interplay between these factors will have significant practical consequences for primary healthcare centres (PHCs). The aforementioned economic and climate-related consequences will increase the need for local public health services, while the combination of escalating petroleum costs and a weakening economy will diminish the resources accessible for PHCs to address the requirements of the community. In light of the growing dangers associated with climate change, the principle that "all disasters originate at the local level" will become even more significant, necessitating local public health systems to enhance their ability to withstand and recover from such events. PHCs are highly dependent on petroleum for both regular and urgent services and provisions. Hence the need for this study.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically examine the lack of petrol and its effect on the Primary health care centres in Bwari, (evidence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration). Specific objectives of this study are to:

Assess the extent of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja

Explore the causes of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja

Examine the effects of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja

Proffer solutions in tackling the extent of lack of petrol in on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What is the extent of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja?

What are the causes of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja?

What are the effects of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja?

What are the strategies to be employed in tackling the extent of lack of petrol in PHCs in Bwari, Abuja?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following research hypothesis will be validated in this study:

Ho1: The effects of lack of access to petrol on PHCs in Bwari, Abuja is low

1.6 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focuses to critically critically examine the lack of petrol and its effect on the Primary health care centres in Bwari, (evidence from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration). Specifically, this study focuses on assessing the extent of lack of access to petrol on PHCs, the causes of lack of access to petrol on PHCs, the effects of lack of access to petrol on PHCs, and the solutions in tackling the extent of lack of petrol in on PHCs.

This study will be carried out in Bwari, Abuja.

1.6 Significance of the study

This study will serve as a baseline for researchers and students and also guide government, policy makers and health workers. 

This study can also inform policy decisions aimed at improving energy infrastructure and resource management practices.

Finally, this study will also serve as a reference material to students and researchers for further studies and future research.

1.7 Limitations of the study

As is customary in all human undertakings, the researchers encountered modest constraints during the investigation. A major limitation of the study is the researcher's financial constraint, as they are a full-time student without any means of income to sustain themselves.

Another limitation was the lack of extensive literature on the subject, as there is limited data available on lack of access to petrol and its effect on primary health centers in Bwari, Abuja.. Consequently, a significant amount of time and effort was necessary to locate the appropriate resources, books, or information, as well as to gather data. Also, this study is constrained by its small sample size and narrow geographic scope, as it just focuses on Bwari, A. Consequently, the results of this study are not applicable for generalization, thereby leaving room for other research.

Furthermore, the researcher faced a time constraint due to the need to do this research while also fulfilling obligations such as attending lectures and other educational activities.

1.9 Definition of terms

Healthcare: efforts to maintain, restore, or promote someone's physical, mental, or emotional well-being especially when performed by trained and licensed professionals

Power outage: an interruption or failure in the supply of power, especially electricity. the period during which power is lost

Fuel scarcity: Fuel scarcity implies that the demand and use of fuel are high than the actual supply or potential quantity of resources.

Fuel subsidy: Fuel subsidy is a financial assistance provided by the government to reduce the cost of fuel for consumers. It is done to keep fuel prices lower and make it more affordable for the general population.