Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, has enabled more than ten million Nigerians to access primary healthcare centres funded by the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund BHCPF. This was contained in a statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations.
Coordinating Minister for Health & Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate made the disclosure to newsmen at the 9th meeting of the oversight ministerial committee on Basic Healthcare Provision Fund ( BHCPF); marking the last for year 2024. The meeting was held on Wednesday at Hawthorn Suites Hotel Garki, Abuja.
Speaking to newsmen, Prof Pate revealed that over the last one year, more than ten million Nigerians including the most poorest and vulnerable have accessed and received critical services in basic healthcare funded primary health care centres in the country.
Under the President Tinubu led administration, he further pointed out that there has been an exponential increase in financing and expansion of primary health care services for all Nigerians, alligning with the Sector- Wide approach. In addition, citing upward shifts in skilled qualified attendants and health insurance.
“It’s been appreciated, approved by the President and acquired by the President just one year ago,” the Coordinating Minister emphatically stated.
Elaborating further on the judicious utilization of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, he stated that the Ministry is strengthening the governance structure for disbursement of the fund to the intended destination.
“And we call on all Nigerians where there are Basic Healthcare Provision Fund facilities to track the resources and, if there are issues that they see at the primary healthcare centres, local government or states; to report it.
We are determined to ensure that every penny that is disbursed reaches the poorest and most vulnerable people to get the quality of the primary healthcare that they need.
I think the health sector renewal investment initiative NHSRII unveiled by the President appears to be working.These are early steps, but we need to sustain it in 2025, “Prof. Pate explained.
Buttressing the dynamics of the BHCPF, the Coordinator Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and Ministerial Oversight Committee Secretary, Dr. Mukhtar Yawale pointed out that Nigeria’s health sector has experienced unprecedented progress and development within a short period.
He described the coordination of the sector and the pulling of resources in one place by the donors, both national and international, to achieve one goal as a remarkable achievement.
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