FG Increases Health Funding to ₦40.76bn, Targets 13,521 Primary Healthcare Centres
The Federal Government has approved ₦40.76 billion for the third-quarter disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), while unveiling plans to extend health insurance to 90,000 inmates and expand funding coverage to more primary healthcare facilities across the country.
The approval, announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, followed the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee on the BHCPF held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The latest allocation represents an increase of approximately ₦7.88 billion from the ₦32.88 billion approved for the previous quarter.
Pate said the increased funding reflected the Federal Government’s determination to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and ensure that vulnerable Nigerians have access to affordable and quality health services.
He noted that the initiative was consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The minister explained that the approved sum of ₦40,758,116,943.50 would be shared among four designated gateways responsible for different aspects of healthcare financing and service delivery.
Under the arrangement, the NHIA will receive ₦19.87 billion, representing 48.75 per cent, while the NPHCDA will get ₦18.34 billion, representing 45 per cent.
The Emergency Medical Treatment gateway will receive ₦2.04 billion, while the NCDC will get ₦509.48 million.
According to Pate, monthly statutory releases into the fund have risen significantly, increasing from about ₦8.95 billion to ₦13.08 billion before reaching ₦20.43 billion.
He emphasised that the increase in funding must be matched by effective implementation, accountability and improved health outcomes for Nigerians.
Correctional Facilities to Receive Expanded Health Coverage
In a major inclusion initiative, the committee approved health insurance coverage for approximately 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.
Pate said the approval followed a request by the Nigerian Correctional Service and would be implemented through the National Health Insurance Authority.
He explained that the arrangement would include regular reporting and safeguards to ensure proper implementation, while inmates already enrolled in state health insurance schemes would be excluded.
The committee also approved measures to improve the availability of essential medicines at primary healthcare facilities through changes to the NPHCDA gateway.
The new arrangement will support pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation, with measures to ensure competitive pricing, value for money, quality assurance and effective supply-chain monitoring.
The government expects the measures to strengthen transparency and improve the availability of essential medical commodities in healthcare facilities.
5,212 More Health Facilities to Benefit
The minister disclosed that the government planned to increase the number of primary healthcare facilities receiving BHCPF support from 8,309 to 13,521.
The expansion will cover an additional 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The committee also examined a phased financing arrangement to help state governments recruit Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers and progressively absorb them into their health systems.
The move is expected to support the delivery of essential maternal and community healthcare services.
To ensure that allocated funds reach their intended destinations without unnecessary delays, the committee resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate obstacles affecting the flow of money through the fund’s gateways, state governments and local government areas to healthcare facilities.
The subcommittee has six weeks to submit its findings and recommendations.
The committee also directed that state governors be formally notified of the financial requirements necessary for the NCDC to respond adequately to disease outbreaks.
Government Moves to Prevent Misuse of Health Funds
Pate said the Federal Government was strengthening accountability mechanisms in the health sector through collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He warned that the government would not tolerate the diversion or misuse of funds meant to provide essential healthcare services to Nigerians.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” the minister said.
He also praised the Katsina State Governor for releasing ₦243 million to the State Health Insurance Agency to expand BHCPF coverage.
Pate urged other state governments and the FCT administration to meet their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act, 2014, to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the programme.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to improving healthcare financing, strengthening primary healthcare institutions and expanding access to essential medical services nationwide.
It said the ultimate objective was to ensure that increased public investment in healthcare produced measurable benefits for Nigerians, particularly poor and vulnerable citizens who face barriers to accessing essential health services.
