The Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has announced that the federal government is implementing important reforms to the fund.

During the eighth MOC meeting in Abuja, the committee revealed that the reforms, driven by a sub-committee formed in the 5th MOC meeting in 2023, include a comprehensive review of the BHCPF guidelines, enhancements to operational frameworks, and the strengthening of governance structures.

These initiatives align with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and have received the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advocating for a sector-wide approach. The committee also approved the allocation of N12.911 billion from the BHCPF to four health agencies for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The agencies benefiting from this allocation are the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).

The eighth MOC meeting also discussed the adoption of the revised BHCPF 2.0 guidelines, the accountability framework, and the fund disbursement for the fourth quarter of the 2023 financial year.

The MOC plans to reconvene in mid-December to allocate funds for the first quarter of 2025.

They confirmed acceptance of the revised BHCPF 2.0 guidelines, with provisions for further adjustments. “Additional consultations with stakeholders and sub-national entities will be undertaken to ensure alignment with the Sector-Wide Approach. The Accountability Framework has been adopted by the MOC and will be refined as implementation progresses,” stated the MOC.

During the meeting, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced that training for integrated healthcare workers is currently in progress.

He noted, “We have achieved 120,000 permanent health workers as part of the president’s initiative, with 40,000 already trained, and more will follow.”

He added that in the past year, 2.4 million more individuals have been added to the Vulnerable Group Fund (VGF), enabling them to access healthcare services.

“Some states, like Anambra, are performing well, while others are still catching up, but we are on this journey together with the federal government and the states,” he stated.

He also emphasized the federal government’s commitment to reducing maternal mortality and enhancing child health outcomes in Nigeria.