The Federal Government has approved the release of N12.9 billion through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance healthcare services in the country.
This sum constitutes one-quarter of the 2023 allocation, earmarked for utilization in the third quarter of 2024.
This is in accordance with the 2020 BHCPF guidelines, which are currently in effect until the revised guidelines are finalized and approved.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this at the 7th meeting of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Persecondnews, in March 2024, the Nigerian government approved the release of N25 billion through the BHCPF for distribution across all states in the country.
The funds were designated to support healthcare facilities directly and provide incentives for healthcare workers in the states.
Data from the BHCPF and the Africa Health Budget Network indicates that the cumulative disbursement through the BHCPF from 2019 to 2022 amounts to roughly N89 billion, based on available information.
According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, only 7,250 healthcare centres, out of a total of 35,514, are currently receiving support from the BHCPF, indicating a significant gap in coverage.
Pate announced that, in line with the federal government’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and Tinubu’s endorsement of a sector-wide approach, sweeping reforms are underway to overhaul and strengthen the BHCPF, ensuring improved healthcare delivery.
He said: “A sub-committee set up by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare during the 5th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting in late 2023 is leading these reforms.
“Key developments include an 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 guidelines by the third quarter of 2024.”
He said that these reforms aimed 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.
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, disclosed that two memoranda were presented and received approval from the Ministry of Health (MOC).
He said: “The first memo, jointly presented by the NCDC Gateway and EMT Gateway, outlined proposed reforms.
“These reforms focus on programmatic improvements at both state and national levels, as well as fiduciary interventions to ensure proper resource utilization.
“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 explained that these reforms and disbursements are integral to the ongoing implementation of the sector-wide approach and government reforms, which aim to enhance coordination, optimize resource allocation, and streamline processes across multiple channels.
He emphasized the importance of upgrading the quality of primary healthcare centres across all states, leveraging resources from both state governments and external funding sources.
He said: “We have conducted assessments with the National Health Insurance Authority and states to identify facility gaps and prioritize improvements.
“The focus now is on working closely with each state to sequence the refurbishment of these facilities, starting with those most urgently in need of support.”
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), stated that the meeting aimed to provide transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds, ensuring clarity and openness in the allocation and expenditure of resources.
Ohiri explained that the meeting fostered an environment of accountability, where stakeholders were held responsible for their financial decisions and actions, subject to scrutiny and peer review from a diverse range of sectors, including government, donors, and civil society organizations.
He said: “Serving as a platform to address challenges and constraints in implementing healthcare initiatives, aiming for collective resolution and proactive steps forward.
Ohiri said that these elements underscored 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 they have access to a minimum package of healthcare services at primary healthcare centres without out-of-pocket expenses.
Ohiri said, “We are working with the NPHCDA to improve healthcare quality in facilities, making sure services remain affordable and covered under health insurance.
“The initiative has spurred states to contribute their resources, with 25 states funding their own health insurance programs to support the poor and vulnerable, expanding coverage beyond federal efforts.”
Ohiri announced that, since the last 6th MOC, more states have joined the health insurance scheme, accrediting numerous facilities to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services.
He emphasized that these accomplishments demonstrate the program’s significant impact in improving access to affordable healthcare across Nigeria, made possible through the collaborative efforts of the federal and state governments.
According to NAN, the federal government established the BHCPF in 2014, as mandated by Section 11 of the National Health Act, to enhance access to primary healthcare services by providing dedicated funding.
The BHCPF is financed through an annual allocation of at least 1% from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and additional contributions from donor agencies.
BHCPF offers a comprehensive healthcare package designed to expand financial resources for health, bolster the national healthcare system, with a focus on strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) services, and guarantee universal access to essential healthcare services for all citizens.
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