### Key Developments and Funding of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the disbursement of ₦12.9 billion through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2024. This disbursement, part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services across the country, is in line with the 2020 BHCPF guideline pending the review of the new guideline.
#### Overview of BHCPF Disbursements:
– **2019-2022**: Approximately ₦89 billion was disbursed.
– **2023**: ₦25 billion was allocated for the first two quarters.
– **2024 Q3**: An additional ₦12.9 billion has been approved.
#### Utilization of Funds:
The disbursed funds are aimed at:
– Direct facility financing.
– Workforce incentives across states.
– Supporting primary healthcare centers (PHCs).
#### Scope of BHCPF Coverage:
– Only 7,250 out of the 35,514 PHCs in Nigeria are currently benefiting from the BHCPF.
#### Recent and Upcoming Reforms:
– **Comprehensive Review**: The BHCPF guideline is under review to address significant flaws and improve implementation.
– **Sector-Wide Approach**: President Bola Tinubu’s administration is pushing for a sector-wide approach to align resources and improve health outcomes.
– **Corrective Measures**: All 36 states and the FCT are committed to immediate corrective measures based on a thorough assessment of the BHCPF’s implementation flaws.
#### Key Reforms:
– **National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and NPHCDA**: Proposed reforms approved in March 2024 to enhance the operational efficiency of these agencies.
– **Funding Assurance**: The MOC has approved the release of ₦25 billion to key health agencies to ensure continuity of services pending the new guideline.
#### Health Outcomes and Goals:
– **Increase in Antenatal Coverage**.
– **Improved Skilled Birth Attendance**.
– **Enhanced Immunisation Rates**.
– **Expansion of Overall Health Insurance Coverage**.
#### Collaborative Efforts:
– **Assessments and Prioritization**: Conducting facility assessments to identify gaps and prioritize improvements.
– **State and Federal Collaboration**: States are increasingly contributing their own resources and implementing health insurance funds to support the poor and vulnerable.
#### Impact on Healthcare Access:
– Approximately 2.7 million Nigerians are now insured under the BHCPF, providing them with access to a basic minimum package of healthcare services at PHCs without out-of-pocket expenses.
– **State Participation**: 25 states have initiated their own health insurance programs, further expanding healthcare coverage.
### Conclusion
The BHCPF is a crucial initiative aimed at improving healthcare access and quality in Nigeria. The recent approval of ₦12.9 billion for the third quarter of 2024, along with ongoing reforms and collaborative efforts between federal and state entities, underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services for all Nigerians.
