By Adebayo Aishat Ajoke
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the disbursement of N12.9 billion through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2024. This amount represents one quarter of the 2023 fund and is part of the government’s efforts to improve healthcare services in the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, made this announcement during the 7th meeting of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee in Abuja. He stated that the funds will be utilized in accordance with the 2020 BHCPF guideline, pending the review of the new guideline. Prof. Pate also disclosed that the government has authorized the disbursement of N25 billion through the BHCPF across all states in March 2024, with the allocated funds earmarked for direct facility financing and workforce incentives across states.
The BHCPF was established in 2014 to provide funding to improve access to primary health care in Nigeria. The fund is designed to be financed from not less than one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federal government and other sources, including donors’ contributions. The government’s efforts to improve healthcare services in Nigeria are part of the country’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a Sector-Wide Approach.
The reforms aim to better align resources and improve health outcomes, such as increased antenatal coverage, skilled birth attendance, immunization rates, and overall health insurance coverage in Nigeria. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, stated that the reforms and disbursements are part of ongoing efforts to implement the Sector-Wide Approach and government reforms, aimed at improving coordination and resource efficiency across various gateways.The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, emphasized the importance of effective governance and collaboration in achieving the goals of BHCPF.
He disclosed that approximately 2.7 million Nigerians are now insured under this initiative, ensuring access to a minimum package of healthcare services at primary healthcare centers without out-of-pocket expenses.