By Saminu Ibrahim
The Federal Government has approved ₦40.76 billion for the third quarter of 2026 under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), representing an increase of ₦7.88 billion from the ₦32.88 billion allocated in the previous quarter.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja after the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) on the BHCPF.
He said the decision was part of the government’s commitment to improving access to quality and affordable healthcare, particularly for poor, vulnerable and underserved Nigerians, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
The approved sum of ₦40,758,116,943.50 will be shared among the fund’s four gateways, with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) receiving ₦19.87 billion, representing 48.75 per cent.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) will receive ₦18.34 billion, or 45 per cent, while ₦2.04 billion, representing five per cent, is allocated to Emergency Medical Treatment. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will receive ₦509.48 million, or 1.25 per cent.
Pate said monthly statutory releases into the fund had increased from approximately ₦8.95 billion to ₦13.08 billion and subsequently to ₦20.43 billion.
He, however, stressed the need to ensure that increased funding translated into timely disbursements, transparent financial management and improved health outcomes.
The committee also approved the extension of health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities nationwide through the NHIA, following a request by the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The minister said implementation would be subject to regular reporting and appropriate safeguards, adding that inmates already covered by state health insurance schemes would be excluded.
To improve access to essential medicines, the committee approved the operationalisation of changes to the NPHCDA gateway, including pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national Group Purchasing Organisation.
The arrangement is expected to incorporate value-for-money safeguards, pricing benchmarks and supply-chain monitoring to improve transparency, ensure quality and strengthen the availability of essential medical commodities.
Pate also announced plans to expand the number of primary healthcare facilities receiving support under the BHCPF from 8,309 to 13,521 nationwide.
The expansion will add 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The committee further considered a phased financing model to support states in recruiting and progressively absorbing Skilled Birth Attendants and Community-Based Health Workers to strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
To address delays in funding, the MOC resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate bottlenecks affecting the flow of funds through the gateways, states and local government areas to health facilities.
The subcommittee is expected to submit its report within six weeks.
The committee also directed that letters be sent to state governors outlining the financial requirements of the NCDC to enable it to respond effectively to disease outbreaks.
On accountability, Pate said the Federal Government was collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to track health sector funds and prevent their misapplication.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” he said.
The minister commended the Katsina State Governor for releasing ₦243 million to the State Health Insurance Agency to expand coverage under the BHCPF.
He urged other state governments and the FCT administration to fulfil their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act, 2014.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government reiterated its commitment to strengthening primary healthcare financing, expanding access to essential health services and ensuring that public investments in the sector translate into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable populations.
