BHCPF: HEALTH MINISTER CALLS ON STATES GOVERNMENT TO DO THE NEEDFUL FOR ITS CITIZENRY TO BENEFIT FROM THE FUND
The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire has called on States Government which has not yet commenced Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) implementation, to take all steps to meet the requirements that allow their people to begin to benefit from the fund.
Dr. Osagie made the call at the on boarding and sensitization meeting for Basic Healthcare Provision Fund State Oversight Committee, which is intended to bring together Chairmen and Focal Persons of State Oversight committees, held on Thursday June 9, 2022 at Chida Hotels, Abuja.
The Minister added that the meeting is the first meeting convened with State Commissioners of Health on the BHCPF since the new Guidelines for the Administration, Disbursement and Monitoring of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), also called “The 2020 Guidelines”, was approved by the National Council of Health in August 2020.
He further stated that the operationalization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund will not its achieve set objectives without a formal engagement of the State Oversight Committees in all States, for the purpose of making them get conversant with implementation of the Fund.
According to the Minister, the 2020 Guidelines require the Honourable Commissioners for Health, with support of their State Oversight Committees, to provide leadership and supervision for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund implementation in their State, and to take responsibility for studying and approving annual work plans and reports.
Dr. Osagie said “the BHCPF, which is derived from 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government and any other sources, where available, is a bold step towards achievement of Universal Health Coverage, and to demonstrate the commitment of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to population health of Nigerians, implementation began in 2019 with a total release to date of N85.95 billion, 65% of which has been disbursed to the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT”.
The Minister further disclosed that the BHCPF has began providing operations fund to nearly 7000 Primary Health Centres in 34 states of the Federation, while about one million poor and vulnerable citizens now have access to Basic Minimum Package of Health Services, in 24 States.
Continuing, he said that the details will be provided in the course of the meeting, adding that the essence of this huge investment is to signal that government now places higher emphasis on the primary health care system, as the foundation of the health services for the people. Value for money is absolutely key, along with further investment by State and Local Governments, as well as Private Sector, even Communities themselves, in Basic healthcare, which has been neglected for too long. It, of course, means that proper oversight is expected of you all, for absolute transparency and accountability.
Dr. Osagie disclosed that there are, unfortunately, already reports of reckless and inappropriate financial practices in few states, which will not be tolerated, and will be followed up accordingly by the law. He therefore, urged the Commissioners to embrace the laudable intent behind the Fund and take necessary measures to ensure judicious use for the benefit of the people of your states.
Goodwill messages were receive from World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, Bill and Milinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Chair, Health Commissioners of Health among others.
Earlier, the Senior Technical Assistant (HMH) and the Secretary, Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) Dr. Chris Isokponwu made a presentation which mostly centered on the overview of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), the status of implementation and updates.
Nwokike Brendan A.
Chief Information Officer
Signed:
A.A. Chindaya
DD (Media & Public Relations) FMOH
June 10, 2022
