Local Government and Primary Healthcare Delivery in Adamawa State: A Study of Yola North Local Government Area

This study investigates the role of local government authorities in primary healthcare delivery in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, situated in Nigeria's North East geopolitical zone. Primary healthcare remains the most accessible level of health service for rural and peri-urban communities, yet its quality and availability are compromised by underfunded local government health departments, shortage of trained personnel, and inadequate medical supplies across many communities in Adamawa State. This research adopts a cross-sectional survey design, with data collected from 200 residents and 30 local government primary health care center workers using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The Health Systems Strengthening Framework and the Primary Health Care Renewal Framework provide the theoretical grounding. Secondary data includes Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency reports and recent publications on grassroots health governance in Nigeria. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests are used to analyze the relationship between local government funding levels and healthcare service quality indicators. Findings are expected to reveal that irregular financial releases, staff absenteeism, and lack of essential drugs are the primary barriers to effective primary healthcare delivery. Recommendations include increased statutory allocation to local government health departments, implementation of performance-based funding, and strengthened community health worker programs. Keywords: Primary healthcare, local government, Adamawa State, Yola North, health delivery.