FG approves N12.9bn for NHIA, NPHCDA, two others

The Federal Government has authorized the release of N12.911 billion to several health agencies, including the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

This funding decision was made during the eighth meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) held in Abuja on Friday. The committee confirmed that this allocation pertains to the fourth quarter of 2024, in accordance with the existing BHCPF guidelines.

The MOC is responsible for ensuring the effective management, transparency, and accountability of the fund, while overseeing its strategic direction and monitoring disbursement across the four key entities: NHIA, NPHCDA, NEMSAS, and NCDC.

According to the committee, “In line with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and the endorsement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a Sector-Wide Approach, significant reforms for the BHCPF have been initiated. These reforms, led by a subcommittee formed during the fifth MOC meeting in 2023, involve a review of the BHCPF guidelines, operational framework improvements, and enhanced governance structures.”

The eighth MOC meeting included discussions on adopting the revised BHCPF 2.0 Guidelines, establishing an accountability framework, and confirming the fund disbursement for the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year.

A subcommittee has been established, comprising representatives from State Social Health Insurance Agencies, the MOC Secretariat, NHIA, Chief Executive Officers, the World Health Organisation, and State Primary Health Care Development Agencies, to resolve delays in disbursement and report back within two weeks.

In conversations with reporters, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, highlighted the government’s progress in enhancing health sector governance and improving health outcomes for the population.

Pate noted that 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians have been enrolled in the Vulnerable Groups Fund within the past year. “We are currently training integrated healthcare workers. We announced that we’ve reached a total of 120,000 permanent health workers as part of the President’s initiative, with 40,000 already trained, and more training sessions planned. While we face significant challenges in this complex sector, we are making strides to improve health outcomes for the population.”

He added, “The inclusion of an additional 2.4 million enrollees in the Vulnerable Groups Fund over the past year means they can access healthcare services. While some states, like Anambra, are performing well, others are facing challenges. However, it is a collective journey that we are undertaking alongside the Federal Government, states, and other stakeholders.”