Federal Government Allocates N50 Billion to Enhance Primary Healthcare Centers

• Federal Government to disburse N50 billion from BHCPF to upgrade and expand primary healthcare centers, aiming to reach 17,000 facilities
• Coordinating Minister emphasizes accountability and transparency, ensuring efficient utilization of funds to improve healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians

The Federal Government is set to disburse N50 billion to upgrade and expand primary healthcare centers nationwide. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, announced this during Thursday’s Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting in Abuja.

The funds for this initiative will be sourced from the Basic Health Provision Fund (BHCPF). Prof Ali Pate emphasized the urgency of starting the work without delay, stating, “In the first quarter of 2024, at least N50 billion, which has already accrued in the BHCPF, we expect that to be disbursed through the state’s primary health care facilities to deliver services to women and children.”

He outlined the government’s target to expand healthcare facilities from 8,000 to almost 17,000 over the next four years and enroll more vulnerable Nigerians to provide access to quality healthcare services.

Prof Pate assured that the government would maintain vigilance in overseeing the utilization of the disbursed funds, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the process. He emphasized the importance of refining criteria and ensuring that health facilities, state, and local governments are accountable for allocated resources.

The Ministerial Oversight Committee aims to achieve the goals set by the President for improving the health and well-being of Nigerians transparently and efficiently. The comprehensive plans outlined by the government received endorsement and support from development partners through the sector-wide approach, as detailed in the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the Compact.

The WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Walter Kazadi Mulombo, expressed commitment towards the success of the plan, stating, “The discussion was really encouraging and in the right direction because it set the time for a reset for business unusual to really accelerate health towards achieving SDGs and hopefully and catch up.”

Chika Okafor of Health Reforms Coalition, representing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), emphasized the accountability aspect, stating, “Now we have the accountability; the torchlight is on us to make sure that we do not fail because we have a sub-committee that is going to be developed. If, for instance, we fail, and we will not fail, we are all culpable; we are all in it. So, we must all put on our passionate hats to think about the poor and the vulnerable. That’s what this meeting is about.”