Nigeria’s Health Sector Gets a Boost as FG, States Reaffirm Commitment to Primary Healthcare at 11th BHCPF Meeting

Spread the love

Pan Afric Reporters Abuja, Nigeria – July 1, 2025

In a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s health sector and fast-track Universal Health Coverage, the Federal Government, in collaboration with state governments and key stakeholders, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) during the 11th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting held in Abuja.

The meeting, convened by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, served as a pivotal platform to assess progress, approve critical funding decisions, and align efforts toward revitalizing the country’s primary healthcare system.

Speaking at the gathering, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, according to a press release e-signed by the ministry’s Deputy Director Information & Public Relations, Alaba Balogun lauded the achievements of the BHCPF, which has so far enabled over 37 million Nigerians to access essential healthcare services. He credited this milestone to a collaborative governance structure involving federal, state, and local governments, along with civil society, private sector partners, and development agencies.

“The BHCPF is working because of the broad collaboration and alignment across all levels of government,” Pate said. “No single tier of government can tackle basic healthcare challenges alone, but together, we are making steady progress.”

Pate also connected Nigeria’s recent macroeconomic reforms—including fuel subsidy removal and the signing of a new tax bill—to the sustainability of healthcare financing, stating that these reforms will improve government revenue to fund critical sectors such as health and education.

Addressing ongoing challenges, he reassured stakeholders of the government’s plan to scale up treatment for tuberculosis (TB), noting that the 2025 federal budget includes provisions to procure more TB drugs amid rising demand due to better detection.

A Cross section of participants & stakeholders comprising key Directors from the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare, Director- Generals of National Health Insurance Authority, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency NPHCDA, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC including partners and civil society organisations @ The 11th Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting of the BHCPF @ the Reiz Continental Hotel venue, Abuja.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Minister of State for Health, emphasized transparency and inclusivity in the BHCPF implementation process, citing the MOC as a model for cooperative governance.

Meanwhile, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, Chair of the Health Commissioners Forum, revealed that more than ₦32 billion was disbursed in the first half of 2025 to support over 8,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide. He pointed to real improvements on the ground—including facility renovations, staff training, and steady supply of essential medicines—as evidence of impact.

“These efforts are making healthcare more accessible and improving the overall health and productivity of Nigerians,” Filani stated, while urging continued accountability and alignment across all states.

Key Outcomes and Resolutions

Fund Disbursements:
The MOC ratified the disbursement of ₦32.88 billion from Q1 2025 funds to cover BHCPF activities for the first two quarters. An additional ₦32.88 billion was approved for Q3 implementation, expected to be released by August 2025—demonstrating a strong commitment to timely and sustained health financing.

Updated Guidelines:
The revised BHCPF Guidelines 2.0, previously granted provisional approval, received final approval and are slated for dissemination before the end of Q3 2025. The guidelines aim to improve coordination, implementation, and accountability across the health sector.

Mini-DHIS Rollout:
A phased rollout of the Mini District Health Information System (Mini-DHIS) will commence in July 2025, designed to provide real-time data visibility and improve decision-making at the Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) level.

Leadership Appointment:
Dr. Ogbe Oritseweyimi was announced as the new Secretary of the BHCPF MOC Secretariat, bringing expertise in health governance and financing to drive forward the Fund’s objectives.

Sector Visibility:
The MOC resolved to enhance public awareness of health sector reforms and achievements through improved media engagement, documentation of success stories, and strategic communication efforts.

The meeting concluded with a renewed pledge to maintain the momentum, strengthen coordination across all levels of government, and scale innovative solutions that will move Nigeria closer to its goal of achieving 70% population coverage for basic healthcare services.