President Bola Tinubu’s administration has greenlit the allocation of N25 billion to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, underscoring the government’s steadfast commitment to bolstering the healthcare system and achieving Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) for all Nigerians.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Deworitshe Patricia, in Abuja on Sunday, the approval of a Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) and the Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme (NHSRIP) is expected to catalyze health transformation, renewal, and accessibility. Discussions on fortifying Nigeria’s primary healthcare system through SWAp underscored the need for reforms in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), encompassing its programs, operations, accountability mechanisms, and public trust.
All states and the Federal Capital Territory have endorsed a remediation plan to bolster health services for the Nigerian populace, with a keen focus on delivering healthcare services to the underprivileged to diminish maternal mortality rates, lower out-of-pocket expenses, and ensure consistent healthcare quality in primary healthcare facilities.
Acknowledging the imperative of a more robust governance structure and clearer guidelines, the Ministry, in collaboration with its development partners, is dedicated to ensuring accessibility to healthcare services for Nigerian women, children, and all citizens, particularly those in vulnerable groups. “The objective, in alignment with NHSRIP, is to diminish the need for patients to travel long distances for care, thereby enhancing the overall health and well-being of Nigerians,” the minister was quoted as saying by Channels Television.