The Federal Government has given the green light for the release of N25 billion via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance healthcare infrastructure in various states.
Prof. Muhammed Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, shared this update during the sixth meeting of the BHCPF Ministerial Oversight Committee held in Abuja last Saturday.
Pate mentioned that the funds were earmarked for direct facility financing and workforce incentives across different states which aligns with President Tinubu's vision and commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for Nigerian women, children, and vulnerable groups.
The disbursement process will be facilitated through key agencies like the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Pate highlighted that a significant portion of the funds would be channeled through the NHIA to provide financial protection for the poorest and most vulnerable populations for equitable access to healthcare services.
To maintain transparency and accountability, the minister announced the establishment of a dedicated reporting mechanism for citizens to report any misuse or deviation from the disbursement guidelines. This includes providing an email address and reporting line to enable citizens to actively participate in monitoring fund implementation.
Pate reiterated the government's commitment to effective and transparent utilization of healthcare resources, emphasizing regular monitoring and oversight to uphold the fiduciary integrity of healthcare systems for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Dr. Oyebanji Filani, speaking on behalf of Commissioners for Health and Human Services, assured that all states would prioritize the quality of care even after patients leave the hospital. He outlined plans to strengthen public health units and provide necessary support to frontline health workers and civil servants.
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, announced several initiatives aimed at ensuring accountability and enhancing service delivery. He stressed the importance of transparency in expenditure and established a dedicated call line for whistleblowers to report any discrepancies or malpractices observed.
Additionally, the government plans to leverage software technology to track expenditure at the facility level and ensure proper utilization of allocated funds.
