HEALTH Diseases

Government Releases ₦32.88 Billion To Boost Healthcare Services

by admin on | 2026-06-27 13:34:48

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Government Releases ₦32.88 Billion To Boost Healthcare Services

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama, Abuja

The Nigerian government has approved the disbursement of ₦32.88 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare services across the country and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

The approval was granted at the 15th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) Meeting held in Abuja on Friday, where key health sector stakeholders reviewed the implementation of ongoing reforms, healthcare financing, and strategies to improve service delivery nationwide.

The Committee approved ₦32,880,443,906.25 as the Q2 2026 BHCPF disbursement to sustain the provision of essential healthcare services across Nigeria. 

The fund is expected to support primary healthcare facilities and improve access to quality health services, particularly for poor and vulnerable populations.

The Ministerial Oversight Committee, which provides strategic direction and oversight for the implementation of the BHCPF and other priority health sector reforms, also reviewed progress under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII) and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework.

The meeting assessed implementation updates from the various BHCPF gateways, national health programmes, and government- and donor-supported initiatives, while tracking resolutions reached during the 14th MOC meeting held in the first quarter of 2026.

As part of efforts to strengthen health sector governance, the Committee approved modalities for the inclusion of private sector actors within the Ministerial Oversight Committee framework to broaden stakeholder participation and promote stronger collaboration in healthcare delivery.

The Committee also directed the MOC Secretariat to issue formal communications to all 36 states, reminding them of their obligations regarding counterpart funding and equity fund commitments to ensure sustainable healthcare financing and improved programme implementation.

Presentations by implementing agencies highlighted progress in service delivery, healthcare financing, accountability, and health system strengthening, while discussions identified operational gaps requiring urgent attention to improve efficiency and programme outcomes.

Development partners and programme stakeholders emphasised the need for stronger alignment under the Sector-Wide Approach, evidence-based decision-making, improved resource utilisation, and enhanced collaboration to accelerate health sector reforms across the country.

The meeting also reviewed the nation’s emergency preparedness systems, including the status of molecular diagnostic laboratories and isolation centres, with participants stressing the need to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to future public health emergencies.

Stakeholders at the meeting included representatives of the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, state implementing agencies, civil society organisations, and development partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and the World Bank.

The meeting reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to strengthening health sector governance, deepening accountability across implementing institutions, improving coordination among stakeholders, and accelerating ongoing reforms aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Established under the National Health Act of 2014, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund remains Nigeria’s flagship health financing mechanism designed to provide sustainable funding for primary healthcare services and guarantee equitable access to essential health services for all Nigerians, especially poor and vulnerable populations.