HEALING UNDER FIRE: NAVIGATING HEALTHCARE CHALLENGES AMID TERRORISM IN NIGERIA

Abstract

It is often said that health is wealth. Health is foundational to livelihood in any country. However, healthcare provision in Nigeria is under pressure due to the mounting terrorist threat which has destabilised the medical system, availability of services and health personnel. In this paper, the
connection between terrorism and healthcare will be explored as insecurity undermines the resilience of the healthcare system and the provision of services. The study is multi-disciplinary and qualitative, including systematic literature reviews and evaluation of legal framework on counter terrorism and healthcare in Nigeria. The results show that policies are badly broken, hospitals are not well-prepared, and procedure for enforcement of laws are either non-existent or poorly carried out. The paper recommends an overall approach that includes healthcare policy reforms, targeted capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced security measures to protect medical services in conflict-affected areas. It also
emphasizes the importance of a community-based model for delivering healthcare to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. The paper concludes with practical strategies to strengthen healthcare resilience in terrorism-prone regions of Nigeria, aiming to contribute
meaningfully to the global discourse on healthcare in conflict settings.