Through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), the federal government has announced that N45 billion will be distributed to Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) across the country.
Muhammad Pate, coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare who made this known at the ongoing three-day Nigeria Health Sector-Wide Joint Annual Review in Abuja. Themed “It’s for All of Us: Accelerating Our Health Sector Reforms Together,” explained that the BHCPF 2.0 reform incorporates equitable distribution of financial and human resources to over 8,000 PHCs through direct facility support.
He stated that N45 billion has already been allocated to states to enhance health services across the country.
“In the last year, a number of facilities have been revitalized, and this financing will help the government’s efforts. Furthermore, 2,000 facilities are scheduled for revitalization as part of this effort, while 2,600 facilities are almost finished with renovations throughout the states,” he noted.
With a goal of retraining 120,000 frontline healthcare professionals, Pate also revealed initiatives to improve the healthcare workforce. More than 40,000 healthcare professionals have been retrained thus far, and the initiative is expected to surpass its goal.
He highlighted advancements in the fight against infectious diseases, pointing to a 40% decrease in diarrheal illnesses, a 24% decrease in TB, and a 12% decrease in HIV.
With this political commitment, we can accelerate our progress in the right direction. Seventeen states have already shown improved performance on modern contraceptive use, with six states doubling their efforts.
At least 40 companies have submitted plans to invest in local manufacturing in response to an executive order that the president issued. In order to increase healthcare investment, the federal government has also inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Afreximbank for a billion-dollar credit line.
According to Pate, public health security has improved, and a recent study shows that Nigerians now have a more favorable opinion of the direction the health system is taking under the present government.
