Impact of Post COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Administration and Services Delivery in Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted healthcare administration and services delivery worldwide, including Nigeria. The post pandemic strained healthcare administration and services delivery, leading led to long-term changes in healthcare systems. 

Objectives: The primary goal of this study is to examine the impact of post COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare administration and services delivery in Nigeria.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study surveyed 394 healthcare professionals across Nigeria using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS Version 27. The Pearson chi-square test assessed the association between healthcare facility type and the post-COVID-19 impact on healthcare administration and services delivery.

Results: The study involved 394 respondents; 38.1% were aged 26-35 years (Mean ± Standard Deviation = 2.424 ± 1.117), 54.1% female, and 43.9% earned over 111,000 naira. 80% reported that the post-COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted healthcare facility capacity, and 75.6% noted adverse effects on administration, and service delivery. Physical and psychological challenges were reported by 90.1% and 93.9% of healthcare providers, respectively. Additionally, 80.2% indicated disruptions in routine healthcare administration and services delivery, while 64.5% of organizations adopted mitigation strategies, 83.8% found these strategies effective in ensuring continued administration and services delivery. The Pearson chi-square analysis revealed statistically significant associations between healthcare facility type and post-COVID pandemic impacts on healthcare administration and services delivery, challenges faced by healthcare providers and administrators, mitigation strategies adopted by healthcare organisations and its effectiveness (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The study underscores the profound effects of the post-COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare administration and services delivery in Nigeria, highlighting challenges that must be addressed to improve system resilience and efficiency.