Healthcare Reform: How FG’s Disbursement Of N12.9bn Will Affect Nigerians

By Comfort Olayinka

Here’s how the Federal Government’s disbursement of N12.9 billion for healthcare reform will affect Nigerians.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) recently approved the release of N12.9 billion to states for the third quarter of 2024.

The MOC, chaired by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, disclosed the approval on Friday.

This funding aims to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainability in Nigeria’s healthcare services.

The committee emphasized that the BHCPF reform is crucial for improving health outcomes, including antenatal coverage, skilled birth attendance, and immunization rates.

The committee also discussed the redesign of the BHCPF, which will ensure better alignment of resources and improve health insurance coverage.

On the rationale for reforms and redesign, it added that a thorough assessment of the BHCPF revealed major flaws.

All 36 states and the FCT have committed to implementing corrective measures, and the MOC approved the release of funds to various health agencies based on the current 2020 guideline.

Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of NPHCDA, briefed the press on the meeting’s outcomes, highlighting updates from various gateways and the approval of memos submitted to the MOC.

He explained that the gateways include the National Health Insurance Authority gateway, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency gateway, the NCDC gateway, and the Emergency Transport Services gateway.

Dr. Aina also noted that the committee coordinates the sector-wide approach adopted to implement the reforms of this government.

Similarly, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director General of NHIA, noted the importance of transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the healthcare sector.

He revealed that over 2.7 million Nigerians are currently in insurance gateways and that states have been prompted to contribute funding to support the poorer population.

The NHIA has also established a medicine initiative to ensure availability, affordability, and sustainability of medicines for citizens.

Dr. Ohiri expressed optimism that the reforms will lead to improved health outcomes and urged stakeholders to work together to achieve this goal.

The MOC’s approval of the funds and the ongoing reforms demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services in Nigeria.