FG Engages Northeast Stakeholders On Implementation Of New Basic Healthcare Fund

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has engaged members of the State Oversight Committees’ core teams from the Northeast region to orient and equip them with a comprehensive understanding of the newly revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Guideline 2.0 to improve service delivery.

The updated guideline, endorsed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, is designed for implementation at all levels—federal, state, and local government—and health facilities to ensure accountability, efficiency, and measurable health outcomes nationwide.

Speaking during the Northeast Zonal engagement workshop held in Bauchi on Monday, Dr Dakum Longji Benji, a member of the Ministerial oversight committee and representative of the BHCPF Secretariat, said the engagement was strategically designed and implemented on a zonal basis to ensure effective participation, coordination, and contextual understanding across all regions.

Dr Benji noted that the engagement reflects the federal government’s commitment to a decentralised and inclusive health system, emphasising that the new BHCPF Guideline seeks to deepen understanding, enhance intergovernmental collaboration, and align all states with the national vision for equitable, accessible, and sustainable healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

He explained that the revised guideline is built around a results-based approach, shifting focus from inputs to outcomes and measurable impact.

“Our focus is on saving lives and protecting health. We are developing measurable metrics that ensure effective health protection across all levels of care,” he said.

At the primary healthcare level, Dr Benji stressed that the goal is to address frequent shortages of essential medicines and promote community ownership through active engagement of Ward Development Committees (WDCs) to drive accountability and sustainability at the grassroots.

He highlighted four key gateways under the BHCPF reform, which include strengthening national public health systems for disease prevention and control, aligning national policies with World Health Organisation (WHO) frameworks and global standards, reinforcing partnerships with development partners to mobilise technical and financial resources and deepening community engagement and accountability to ensure citizens actively participate in sustaining healthcare services.

“These gateways form the backbone of our collective commitment to safeguard lives, improve health outcomes, and build a resilient primary healthcare system for all Nigerians,” Dr Benji added.

He further explained that, in line with directives from the Coordinating Minister for Health, the Secretariat has been mandated to ensure accountability and ownership of the Programme of Needs (PON) from the source of the Consolidated Revenue Fund down to health facilities.

According to him, multiple feedback channels have been established to enhance transparency, including text messages, phone calls, and email reporting systems, enabling citizens and stakeholders to track fund utilisation and raise inquiries.

Dr Benji also outlined the fund allocation structure under the new guidelines, noting that 45% of BHCPF resources go to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to renovate facilities, support human resources, and procure essential drugs. In comparison, 48.25% covers service delivery costs, particularly capitation and fee-for-service payments to beneficiaries.

He emphasised that while the BHCPF is catalytic funding to strengthen healthcare systems, it cannot meet all financing needs. Hence, states are expected to contribute 25% counterpart funding to promote ownership and sustainability, while private sector donors and development partners continue to support with their contributions.

Dr Benji reiterated that under the National Health Act 2014, the BHCPF is financed from 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), supplemented by contributions from bilateral and multilateral partners. He clarified that although the Federal Government is the primary contributor, the Fund is managed at multiple levels to ensure efficiency and impact at the grassroots, where health services are most needed.

He added that at the end of the zonal engagement, all participating states are expected to have functional State Oversight Committees capable of driving effective implementation and accountability under the new guideline.

Also speaking was Dr Ashiru Adamu Abubakar, Technical Assistance and Coordination Minister (Sectoral Approach, Governance, Coordination, and State Engagement) at the South Coordination Office, who commended the Federal Ministry for the significant reforms introduced under Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate’s leadership.

He recalled that the launch of BHCPF Guideline 2.0 followed the Third Quarter Ministerial Oversight Committee Meeting and described it as a monumental milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing effort to strengthen its primary healthcare system.

Dr Abubakar reaffirmed that the new BHCPF framework focuses on improving disbursement efficiency, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that health sector investments translate directly into measurable outcomes for citizens.

“All key agencies are now united in the mission to ensure that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund delivers on its promise to make quality healthcare accessible, equitable, and sustainable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including Commissioners of Health from the Northeast states, State Epidemiologists, Local Government Health Authority representatives, State Emergency Medical Treatment Committees, and other critical actors in the health sector.