Stakeholders in the Nigeria health sector, under the aegis of Nigeria Universal Health Coverage Action Network, NUHCAN, have commended the coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, CON, over the impact in the health sector especially basic healthcare in Nigeria since his assumption of office.
This was made known in a statement signed by the former minister of health and Chairperson Board of Trustees Prof. Adenike Grange, and the Executive Secretary Board of Trustees, Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, where they projected a strengthened partnership between government, development partners, civil society and communities, anchored on transparency, accountability and results oriented service delivery.
The group noted that, “The Nigeria Universal Health Coverage Actions Network, NUHCAN, wishes to warmly commend the Hon. Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, CON, for the recent issuance of the red letter directive and for the timely and regular release of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF, allocations since his assumption of office. In particular, NUHCAN notes with great satisfaction that the progressive evolvement of BHCPF resources to states and health facility level implements has visibly improved under this leadership.
“We believe this is a welcome and critical step towards strengthening primary health care, PHC, systems, advancing universal health coverage, UHC, and realizing the vision of leaving no one behind, anchored on functional PHC and financial risk protection — which are core tenets of NUHCAN’s advocacy agenda.
“While we celebrate this progress, NUHCAN also emphasises that the timely release of funds must be matched by transparent, accountable, and results oriented utilisation.”
They group called for support for civil society monitoring and participation, strengthened oversight across states and facilities, focus on outcomes, not just releases, capacity building and system strengthening.
“NUHCAN reiterates its appreciation to the Minister and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for their leadership in releasing BHCPF funds more consistently. We pledge our organisation’s full cooperation, through our national network of state level CSOs, to monitor and support the effective application of those funds—to ensure that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised Nigerians.
We look forward to a period of strengthened partnership between government, development partners, civil society and communities, anchored on transparency, accountability and results oriented service delivery.” The statement noted.
