FG to disburse N12.9bn for basic healthcare reforms

The federal government has approved the disbursement of N12.911 billion through the basic health care provision fund (BHCPF).

Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, disclosed this at the 7th meeting of the BHCPF ministerial oversight committee in Abuja.

In March 2024, the government authorised the disbursement of N25 billion through the BHCPF across the states of the federation.

Pate said in line with Nigeria’s health sector renewal initiative and President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a sector-wide approach, urgent comprehensive reforms were being undertaken to improve BHCPF.

“A sub-committee set up by the minister of health during the 5th ministerial oversight committee (MOC) meeting in late 2023, is leading these reforms,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“Key developments include: Ongoing review of the BHCPF Guideline, with proposed reforms for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) already approved in March 2024.

“A thorough assessment has revealed significant flaws in the implementation of BHCPF, prompting all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to commit to immediate corrective measures.

“The MOC has approved the release of ₦25 billion to key health agencies to prevent disruption of services, while awaiting the new guideline by the third quarter of 2024.”

He said these reforms will better align resources and improve health outcomes such as increased antenatal coverage, skilled-birth attendance, immunisation rates, and overall health insurance coverage in Nigeria.

Muyi Aina, executive director of NPHCDA, said two memos were submitted and approved by the MOC.

“The first memo, jointly presented by the NCDC Gateway and EMT Gateway, outlined proposed reforms,” he said.

“These reforms focus on programmatic improvements at both state and national levels, as well as fiduciary interventions to ensure proper resource utilisation.

“The second memo focused on the disbursement of N12.9 billion across all states for the third quarter, following a previous approval and disbursement of N25 billion for the first two quarters.”

Aina said these reforms and disbursements were part of ongoing efforts to implement the sector-wide approach.