FG Approves ₦12.9bn Healthcare Fund for NHIA, NPHCDA, Two Other Agencies

The Federal Government has approved the disbursement of ₦12.9 billion to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCD), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

The decision was reached during the eighth meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Abuja on Friday. The fund is allocated for the fourth quarter of 2024, following the current BHCPF guidelines.

The MOC is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation, transparency, and accountability of the BHCPF. It oversees the fund’s strategic direction, monitors its disbursement, and ensures alignment across the four gateways: NHIA, NPHCDA, NEMSAS, and NCDC.

In a statement, the committee noted, “As part of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement of a Sector-Wide Approach, significant reforms to the BHCPF have been initiated. These reforms, spearheaded by a sub-committee established during the 5th MOC meeting in 2023, include ongoing reviews of the BHCPF guidelines, operational architecture reforms, and the strengthening of governance structures.”

At the eighth meeting, the MOC presented and adopted key documents, including the revised BHCPF 2.0 Guidelines, the accountability framework, and the fourth-quarter disbursement of funds for the 2024 financial year. A total of ₦12.9 billion was approved for distribution among NHIA, NPHCDA, NCDC, and NEMSAS.

The committee also emphasized the establishment of a subcommittee, comprising representatives from State Social Health Insurance Agencies, the MOC Secretariat, NHIA, CEOs, the World Health Organization (WHO), and State Primary Health Care Development Agencies. This subcommittee is tasked with addressing delays in fund disbursement and is expected to report back within two weeks.

Addressing the press, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, highlighted progress made in improving governance in the health sector and enhancing the health outcomes of the Nigerian population.

He remarked, “In the last year, we have successfully enrolled 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians into the Vulnerable Groups Fund, ensuring they can now access healthcare services.”

Pate also provided updates on the ongoing integrated healthcare workers’ training program, stating that 120,000 permanent health workers have been targeted as part of President Tinubu’s initiative, with 40,000 already trained. “We are navigating challenges in a complex sector, but progress is being made to improve the nation’s health outcomes.”

He further acknowledged the efforts of various states in healthcare service delivery, noting that while states like Anambra are performing exceptionally well, others still face challenges. “This is a collective journey involving the Federal Government, states, and other stakeholders,” he concluded.