Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has said that ₦45.9billion was disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in 2024.
The minister, who stated this on Thursday at a press briefing to commemorate the 2024 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day in Abuja, said that the funding was to support healthcare facilities and vulnerable groups nationwide.
He outlined the challenges confronting the sector, including inadequate financing, poor governance, fragmented coordination, and inefficiencies in development assistance.
To address the issues, Prof. Pate said that the government has implemented a four-pillar Health Sector Strategic Blueprint aimed at strengthening governance, improving health outcomes, unlocking the healthcare value chain, and bolstering health security and resilience.
“Through the BHCPF, ₦45.9BN has been disbursed through direct financing to facilities already this year. The Equity funds by State Governments support care for its indigenes who are most in need. These funds complement the social sector interventions targeting these groups,” Prof. Pate stated.
He said that the key initiatives include the Presidential Initiative to unlock the healthcare value chain, which seeks to increase domestic production of health products, enhance job creation, and reduce outbound medical tourism.
On mobilising resources for UHC, the minister stated that to reduce Nigerians’ out-of-pocket healthcare spending, the government has mobilised over $3 billion in additional funding for healthcare through the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, Sector-Wide Approach (NHSRII) SWAp.
This includes $2.178 billion in external financing to be used alongside government appropriations through 2026, he explained.
Prof. Pate also noted that the BHCPF disbursed ₦45.9 billion in 2024, providing direct financing to healthcare facilities, adding that state equity funds complemented this by supporting vulnerable populations.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to saving lives, reducing healthcare costs, and providing quality care for all Nigerians. “We will ensure that all citizens, rich or poor, have access to quality healthcare without financial hardship,” he said.