FG’ll provide funds for 8,000 healthcare centers -Pate

The Federal Government says it will invest in 8,000 primary healthcare centers with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

Prof. Muhammad Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the NHIA Operational Guidelines.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Operational Guidelines is the secondary law that operationalizes the NHIA Act.

“We expect faster progress and increased enrollment in the next few years.

Read Also: IGP orders thorough investigation into attack on police officer in Abuja

“Also, there is a portion of BHCPF that is meant for the vulnerable group and we will make sure that it gets to them.

“We will be investing in the Primary Healthcare arena where almost 8,000 primary healthcare across the country will be receiving funds through the BHCPF.

“We will expand the space where the private sector and development partners will contribute,” Pate said.

According to the minister, Nigeria has less than 10 percent covered presently.

He, however, said that the implementation of the program would ensure that more Nigerians were covered to meet the goals set by President Bola Tinubu’s aspirations.

Early, Prof. Mohammed Sambo, the Director-General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), said the NHIA Act provided two critical provisions for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

Sambo said the act was also a legal basis for mandatory participation and the establishment of the Vulnerable Group Fund.

Read Also: North East governors raise concern over influx of bandits

He further explained that the two provisions strengthened the capacity of the NHIA to ensure financial access to quality, healthcare services for all Nigerians, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 and contribute to poverty reduction.

According to Sambo, the Act also expands the role of NHIA to that of a regulator, promoter, and integrator of all health insurance schemes in Nigeria, while recognizing the relevance and roles of various stakeholders.

Sambo added that the NHIA Operational Guidelines were secondary laws derived from the NHIA Act.

” These operational guidelines are, therefore, the result of expert insights and extensive practical experience from all the stakeholders in the health insurance ecosystem.

“They have been crafted to align with the rebranded NHIA mission, vision, and core values and the extensive reforms within the health insurance ecosystem.

“The guidelines ensure that all stakeholders have a broad-based knowledge of health insurance operations in Nigeria,” he said.

Read Also: Airlines to pay compensation for delayed, cancelled flights — Minister

According to Sambo, within the pages, you will find a wealth of information that covers a wide range of operations ranging from governance and stewardship to accreditation, data management, as well as offences, penalties, and legal proceedings.

“We trust that these guidelines will serve as valuable resources in our journey towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage,” Sambo said. (NAN)