Stakeholders in the health sector have reviewed the progress of a bill seeking to amend the National Health Act, 2014, to increase the allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The bill, passed by the Senate in April 2026, requires concurrence by the House of Representatives and harmonisation by both chambers before it can be transmitted to the President for assent.
Proposed Amendment Aims to Boost Primary Healthcare
The proposed amendment is expected to significantly improve funding for primary healthcare services, immunisation, maternal and child health programmes, and sustainable immunisation financing. It is also aimed at strengthening health systems and improving equitable access to life-saving healthcare services for underserved and zero-dose children across Nigeria.
Dialogue on Health Bills
The dialogue, themed “Turning Health Bills into Health Gains,” was organised by the Senate Committee on Health with support from the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) under the Partnership to Reach Zero-Dose Children (PREACH) Project, funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, through the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). At the meeting, stakeholders described the BHCPF as a critical tool for boosting sustainable domestic health financing, strengthening primary healthcare delivery and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Key Stakeholders Attend
The event brought together legislative officials, administrative clerks and Senior Legislative Aides (SLAs) of the National Assembly, representatives of government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, media practitioners and other key stakeholders to review progress on the amendment process and identify pathways for its timely conclusion within the lifespan of the 10th National Assembly.
Senate Committee Clerk Highlights BHCPF Importance
Speaking at the meeting, the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Rosemary Udomah, highlighted the importance of the BHCPF as one of the most significant financing instruments established under the National Health Act. Udomah stated that the fund is critical to improving access to quality healthcare services, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, while reducing out-of-pocket expenditure for vulnerable populations. She said, “The BHCPF remains one of the most significant instruments for strengthening healthcare delivery. Its successful implementation is critical to improving access to quality healthcare services and reducing the financial burden on Nigerians.” Udomah emphasised that the committee remains committed to supporting policies that promote accountability, efficiency and improved health outcomes nationwide.
Vaccine Network CEO Calls Bill Catalytic
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Vaccine Network for Disease Control, Chika Offor, described the health sector amendment bill as a catalytic reform designed to strengthen the nation’s primary healthcare system and improve epidemic preparedness in the face of growing global health threats. Offor noted that many primary healthcare centres across the country continue to operate without adequate infrastructure, essential medicines and sufficient human resources, limiting their capacity to serve vulnerable populations. She said, “This bill is catalytic. It is designed to prepare health centres to function effectively by ensuring the availability of personnel, medicines and operational support. It also strengthens epidemic preparedness, which is critical in a world increasingly threatened by global health emergencies.” Offor added that civil society organisations had intensified advocacy for the finalisation and assent of the amendment bill, noting that the proposed reform would also expand access to health insurance for low-income populations and help reduce the burden of catastrophic health spending.
Legislative Process Overview
On his part, Akpevwe Dariese of the Bills Department of the National Assembly, who presented an overview of the legislative process, explained that the bill was referred to the relevant health committees, which conducted a public hearing involving key stakeholders across the health sector. Dariese noted that the amendment bill had passed third reading in the Senate after extensive debate. “The public hearing allowed for robust input, and the overwhelming consensus was that the amendment is necessary and beneficial to Nigerians,” he said. He stated that the committee’s report had been considered and approved on the Senate floor, adding that the next stage requires harmonisation between the Senate and the House of Representatives. Dariese pointed out that once harmonisation is completed, the final version of the bill will be transmitted to the President for assent. However, he cautioned that the harmonisation stage could still involve clause-by-clause scrutiny and possible adjustments before final approval.
