Federal Government Greenlights N32 Billion for Primary Health Care Enhancement
The Federal Government has officially sanctioned the disbursement of over N32 billion to bolster Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across Nigeria, with the goal of significantly improving service delivery and accessibility for citizens. This crucial approval was granted during the 14th and first quarter 2026 meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Healthcare Provision Funds (BHCPF), held in Abuja.
Strategic Allocation and Expansion Plans
At the meeting, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, detailed that the funds will be distributed to BHCPF facilities in accordance with guidelines approved in 2025. He further announced ambitious plans to expand the number of facilities benefiting from this financial support. "We are on our way to expanding the facilities to 5,000 more that will be receiving direct facility financing," Pate stated, highlighting the government's commitment to broadening healthcare access.
Key Initiatives and Progress Updates
The committee also addressed several critical health initiatives:
- Emergency Ambulance Tariff Increase: Approved higher tariff rates for emergency ambulance services to adequately compensate both private and public sector providers, ensuring sustainable emergency response capabilities.
- Immunization Achievements: Reported that over 102 million children were immunized during the largest integrated measles and rubella campaign launched last year, showcasing significant public health progress.
- Maternal and Child Health: Despite reductions in child and maternal mortality rates, Pate emphasized that these figures remain high, necessitating continued efforts. He noted, "We are doing well in terms of efforts to improve maternal and child mortality, and disease outbreaks control. More than 200 disease episodes were reported in the last one year, and were stopped very early."
Impact of Presidential Initiatives
Pate highlighted the tangible benefits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's policy to provide free emergency obstetric services, which has already reimbursed more than 40,000 women for emergency care. Additionally, the free fistula program has reached over 4,000 women, reclaiming their lives, and neonatal care reimbursements are commencing. "It's important to note that the Comprehensive Emergency Management of Obstetric Services (CEMO) Reimbursement for Complications of Obstetric Deliveries appears to be doing very well," he confirmed.
Broader Health Sector Reforms
The meeting also focused on the BHCPF 2.0 framework under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which aligns financing with outcomes to ensure resources translate into real service improvements at the primary healthcare level. Pate explained, "What we have seen is a continuation of the progress across multiple dimensions of primary health care, in terms of utilization, maternal mortality, immunization, and the resources that the government is disbursing through the BHCPF is getting to the facilities."
Minister of State, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, reinforced this by stating, "This is about outcomes Nigerians can see and feel: safer deliveries, improved emergency response, and functional primary healthcare centres."
Collaborative Efforts and Future Directions
Gateway agencies such as the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) presented implementation updates. Representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) provided field-level insights, reflecting progress in expanding service delivery and strengthening public health responses.
The committee reviewed priority interventions, including:
- MAMII: Driving data-led actions to reduce maternal and newborn deaths.
- HOPE PHC: Improving service readiness, workforce capacity, and PHC performance.
- National Health Fellows Programme (NHF): Strengthening leadership and accountability across the health system.
- National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS): Reinforcing emergency response and lifesaving care.
These efforts are part of the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), aimed at advancing towards Universal Health Coverage by improving financial protection and healthcare outcomes for all Nigerians.
