…..We’ll redesign BHCPF to address increased healthcare costs
ASHENEWS reports that President Bola Tinubu says that the federal government will redesign the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen the provision of essential services to Nigerians.
Tinubu stated this at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by Federal, State Governments, and Development Partners in Abuja on Tuesday.
The event was organized to commemorate this year’s Universal Health Care Day.
Tinubu said that his administration, as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda would commence massive retraining of healthcare workers and revamping of primary health care centers in 2024.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate explained that the BHCPF, comprising at least 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, is expected to receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing from 2024 to 2026 to improve the primary health system nationwide.
The Minister outlined plans to double the number of fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), adding that these PHCs will be linked to a comprehensive emergency care system.
He noted that the federal government will make resource allocation, releases, and results transparent to all stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental partners, civil society organizations, and citizens.
“The Federal Government is making significant investments in health infrastructure and equipment for our hospitals, as well as the provision of critical commodities, the expansion of health insurance, alongside heightened attention to the welfare of the health workforce,” he stated.
