Federal Gov’t Disburses N37bn Basic Healthcare Provision Fund

The Federal Government said it has disbursed a total sum of N37billion to relevant health agencies through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for designated Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.

The federal government earlier approved the release of N25billion, representing two quarters of 2023, to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), then N12billion, representing the third quarter.

Coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this at the review meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) on BHCPF in Abuja.

He said that the disbursements were based on the 2020 BHCPF guideline, adding that a review of the guideline was ongoing.

The minister noted that major flaws were identified in the existing guideline, thus the need for the review.

“Urgent and comprehensive reforms of the BHCPF including the review of the BHCPF Guideline is necessary by reforming its operational architecture and strengthening its governance structure.

“A thorough assessment and audit of the BHCPF has revealed major flaws in Programmatic, operational and fiduciary aspects of BHCPF implementation, warranting major reforms and redesign.

“All the 36 states and the FCT have demonstrated commitment to rectify these flaws by signing up a remediation plan with the Federal Ministry of Health and committing to implement corrective measures immediately. All entities are currently working to implement recommendations,” the minister said.

He said the redesign of the BHCPF, when fully implemented, will ensure better alignment of resources towards improving the country ‘s health outcomes of saving lives and producing health.

“These outcomes include, but are not limited to improved antenatal coverage, increased skilled-birth attendance, reduced stunting & wasting, reduced adolescent birth rate, reduced number of zero-dose children, increase penta3 coverage, increased percentage of children 0-12 months fully immunised and increase health insurance coverage,” said Pate.