Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Ministerial Oversight Committee of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund has authorized the disbursement of Twelve point Nine Billion naira (12.9 BN) to state authorities for utilization in the third quarter of 2024 nationwide for health care services.
These funds are allocated in accordance with the BHCPF Guidelines 2020 to foster transparency, accountability, and sustainability in Nigerian healthcare services.
Under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who is also the Chairman of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC), disclosed the funds will be fully integrated into the sector-wide program as outlined in the BHCPF 2020 guidelines.
The chairman emphasized that the reform of BHCPF is not just a mere formality, but a comprehensive financial restructuring that exceeds the government’s current funding levels, aimed at revitalizing primary healthcare.
During the 7th BHCP Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Professor Pate highlighted that the redesign of BHCPF, once fully implemented, will ensure better allocation of resources to enhance Nigeria’s health outcomes by saving lives and promoting overall health.
He further stated that these outcomes encompass, but are not limited to, improved antenatal care coverage, enhanced skilled-birth attendance, reduced stunting and wasting, lower adolescent birth rates, fewer zero-dose children, increased penta3 coverage, higher rates of children aged 0-12 months fully immunized, and expanded health insurance coverage.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, who also chairing the MOC, emphasized the urgency for comprehensive reforms of the BHCPF in alignment with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative, approved by the 64th NCH, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement of a Sector-Wide Approach. These reforms involve a critical review of the BHCPF Guideline to enhance its operational structure and governance framework.
Established during the 5th MOC meeting in the final quarter of 2023, a sub-committee led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and Chair of the MOC has been tasked with spearheading these reforms.
According to the minister, the ongoing review of the guideline led to the approval of proposed reforms for NHIA and NPHCDA during the 6th MOC meeting in March, with additional reforms for NCDC and NEMTC presented as a joint memo at the latest meeting.
“A comprehensive evaluation and audit of the BHCPF identified significant deficiencies in its Programmatic, Operational, and Fiduciary aspects, necessitating substantial reforms and redesign. All 36 states and the FCT have demonstrated their commitment to rectify these deficiencies by signing remediation plans with the Federal Ministry of Health and undertaking immediate corrective actions. All entities are actively working to implement the recommended changes.
“The 6th MOC meeting in March 2024 approved the release of funds (25bn – equivalent to two quarters of 2023 funding) to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the National Health Insurance Authority, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, in accordance with the current 2020 Guideline pending the revision of the new guideline by the 3rd quarter of 2024. This allocation aims to prevent any significant disruptions in service provision at designated BHCPF PHC facilities.”
While updating the press on the outcome of the meeting, Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), provided an update on the proceedings of the MOC meeting, highlighting the various presentations from the gateways, including the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the NCDC, and the Emergency Transport Services, as well as the ministerial oversight committee secretariat and the sector-wide approach office.
He mentioned that the committee oversees the sector-wide approach adopted for implementing government reforms. Several activities took place during the meeting, with numerous memos submitted to the MOC and subsequently approved.
“The first memo was a joint presentation of reforms from the NCDC and EMT gateways. The NHI gateway and the MPHC gateway had previously proposed reforms that will be integrated into the next phase of the BHCPF 2020 program, which are now being implemented and will be reflected in the revised program guidelines.”
Speaking on, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director General/Chief Executive Officer of The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), emphasized that the MOC meeting focused on promoting transparency to ensure accountability for the utilization of funds.
He reiterated that the last quarter’s funds were reviewed with the media and civil society to enhance accountability. The DG NHIA disclosed that over 2.7 million Nigerians are currently enrolled in insurance programs.
Regarding the approved 12.9 billion funds, the NHIA Boss revealed that the increased funding has motivated states to enhance their efforts, with approximately 25 states also contributing funding to support disadvantaged individuals in the state.
In addressing counterfeit drugs, Dr. Ohiri unveiled NHIA’s medicine initiative, that is aimed at ensuring the availability, affordability, and sustainability of medicines for all citizens.
He also mentioned that NHIA has engaged with various stakeholders in the healthcare sector to review medicine tariffs, a crucial step in enhancing access to quality care.
