By Comfort Olayinka
….Set to Boost Healthcare with ₦12.911 Billion Allocation
The Federal Ministry of Health and social welfare has reaffirmed its dedication to eradicating maternal mortality and improving child healthcare outcomes.
Prof. Alli Pate, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, emphasized this commitment at the 8th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in Abuja.
The Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s healthcare system, ensuring effective implementation, transparency and accountability of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The MOC oversees strategic direction, monitors fund disbursement and aligns key agencies: NHIA, NPHCDA, NEMSAS and NCDC.
Prof. Pate highlighted recent progress, including the addition of 2.4 million vulnerable individuals to the national health insurance scheme, enhancing affordability for the poor. The Minister praised states like Anambra for their effective implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
He said “If you look at the data again, you will discover that 2.4 million additional enrollees have been included to the vulnerable group fund over the last one year, which means they’re able to afford healthcare and through that we also know that there are resources to ensure affordability, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations”.
On the implementation of BHCPF, Prof Pate said, “some states are doing well, states like Anambra; but it’s a journey and we’re on that journey together with the FG working with the state and all that”.
The Sector Wide Approach, launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2023, aims to strengthen healthcare governance through collaboration among federal, state and local governments, civil societies and private sector stakeholders. Key initiatives include training 150,000 primary healthcare workers.
“As you have heard, the training of the integrated healthcare worker is underway. We have announced that we will train about 150,000 primary healthcare workers as part of the President’s initiative, 40,000 have already been re-train, and more will be trained going forward”.
The 8th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting which was also attended by the Minister of state for health and social welfare Dr Morufu Tunji Alausa yielded significant resolutions, including approval of ₦12.911 billion for disbursement to key health agencies and adoption of the revised BHCPF 2.0 Guideline. A subcommittee will address disbursement delays.
The Minister expressed optimism about achieving Nigeria’s health objectives, citing President Tinubu’s leadership as African Union champion on human resources for health. With continued collaboration and reforms, Prof. Pate envisions a future where maternal mortality is eradicated and child healthcare outcomes significantly improve.
“We are seeing the execution proceeding and the governance of it is also improving collectively between the federal, state and local governments, Civil Societies, Development Partners, and the Private Sector coming together to discuss issues around funding and ensure resources go to the frontlines.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization’s Country Representative to Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm for Nigeria’s advancements in healthcare.
He emphasized on the importance of strengthening primary care, a goal Nigeria is actively pursuing through initiatives like the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Basic Health Provision Fund program.
