- The Nigerian government has disbursed ₦12.9 billion for health sector reforms in which funds are allocated to NHIA, NPHCDA, NCDC, and NEMSAS for improved healthcare delivery
- About 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians now reportedly have access to healthcare through the Vulnerable Groups Fund
- Other plans are undergoing such as new guidelines, workforce training, and governance improvements to reshape Nigeria’s health sector
In a bid to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Federal Government has approved the release of ₦12.911 billion to key health agencies: 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).
The fund allocated for the fourth quarter of 2024 was greenlit at the 8th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), held in Abuja on Friday, October 18, 2024. According to officials, this disbursement follows the latest BHCPF guidelines aimed at improving healthcare delivery across the country.
Highlight of MOC’s responsibilities
The Ministerial Oversight Committee is responsible for overseeing the proper utilisation of the BHCPF, ensuring transparency, and driving strategic health sector reforms. The Committee plays a crucial role in monitoring disbursements, tracking progress, and ensuring that these agencies—NHIA, NPHCDA, NCDC, and NEMSAS—align with the country’s healthcare priorities.
In their words, “In alignment with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement of a Sector-Wide Approach, significant reforms of the BHCPF have been initiated”. These reforms, which were led by a sub-committee established during the 5th MOC meeting in 2023, include a comprehensive review of the BHCPF guidelines, restructuring its operational framework, and reinforcing governance systems to ensure that funds reach the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Further details on approved disbursement
Among the proposals at the eighth MOC meeting were the adoption of the revised BHCPF guidelines, an accountability framework, and the green light for the fourth quarter disbursements of the 2023 financial year.
It stated, “The MOC approved N12.911bn for disbursement to NHIA, NPHCDA, NCDC, and NEMSAS for the fourth quarter of 2024, based on the current BHCPF guidelines.”
It noted that a subcommittee, including 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, will address delays in disbursement and report back within two weeks.
Pate expresses optimism for Nigeria’s healthcare system
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, expressed optimism about the government's progress in enhancing healthcare governance and improving health outcomes for the Nigerian population.
He said, “The integrated healthcare workers’ training is underway. We announced that we’ve reached 120,000 permanent health workers as part of the President’s initiative. 40,000 have already been trained, and more will be trained going forward. We are grappling with difficult challenges in a very complex sector, but we are making progress to improve population outcomes.
“Also, 2.4 million additional enrollees have been included in the Vulnerable Groups Fund over the last year, which means they can afford healthcare. Some states are doing well, while others are lagging but we need to make healthcare services available to the people.”
While some states, such as Anambra, have made significant progress in healthcare delivery, others continue to face challenges.
“It’s a collective effort, involving the Federal Government, states, and other stakeholders,” Pate remarked, stressing the importance of collaboration to ensure that healthcare services are accessible to all Nigerians.
“Some states are excelling, like Anambra, while others are struggling. But it is a journey we are on together with the Federal Government, states, and other stakeholders,” Pate stated
FG allocates N1.6bn to combat ginger blight and boost food security
Meanwhile, TheRadar previously wrote on the government’s allocation of N1.6 billion naira to combat ginger blight and boost food security for Nigerian farmers.
This was revealed by Fredrick Nwabufo, President Bola Tinubu's senior special assistant on public engagement, on his X account on Monday, October 14, 2024.
Also, he included that the government is turning its attention to livestock production, distributing 14 million doses of vaccines to prevent common animal diseases and providing extensive biosecurity training to livestock farmers to curb antimicrobial resistance.
