Four key health agencies will be enhanced through a N12.9 billion approval by the Nigerian Government to boost healthcare delivery in the country.
The approval was confirmed at the eighth meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
The health agencies include the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
They are set to receive the funds, which were allocated under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the fourth quarter of 2024.
The disbursement is in line with the current BHCPF guidelines and the ongoing reforms in the health sector, according to the committee, responsible for monitoring fund disbursement and ensuring transparency. The reforms were established during the 5th MOC meeting in 2023.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, while speaking with the press after the meeting, was optimistic about government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
The committee also said the reforms will ensure effective use of the fund across the health sector and strengthen governance structure.
While highlighting the achievements of the Vulnerable Groups Fund, he enumerated that 2.4 million additional vulnerable Nigerians had been enrolled in the scheme over the last year.
Prof. Pate revealed that the approved funds will significantly boost services across the four agencies and improve population health outcomes.
He also said the government is commitment to training healthcare workers and added that 40,000 health workers were been trained under the president’s initiative to reach 120,000 permanent health workers nationwide.
The Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) ensures the effective implementation, transparency, and accountability of the fund.
It oversees the BHCPF’s strategic direction, monitors fund disbursement, and ensures alignment among the four gateways NHIA, NPHCDA, NEMSAS, and NCDC.
The committee further revealed the adoption of the revised BHCPF 2.0 guideline and accountability framework.Also, a subcommittee, including representatives from SSHIA, the MOC Secretariat, NHIA, CSOs, WHO, and SPHCDA was formed to address delay in disbursement and report back within 2 weeks.
