Ministerial Committee Endorses BHCPF 2.0 for Enhanced Health Financing

Daniel Adaji, Abuja

The Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has approved and adopted the BHCPF 2.0 Guideline, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening health financing and ensuring transparency in fund disbursement.

The endorsement came during the 10th MOC meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, under the chairmanship of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Health Sector Reform Committee (HSRC), donor partners, and the four gateways: the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the National Emergency Medical and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

A major highlight of the meeting was the approval and adoption of the BHCPF 2.0 Guideline, a revised framework aimed at enhancing the administration, disbursement, and monitoring of the Fund.

The MOC emphasized that the new guideline will improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of healthcare funds across the country.

“The 10th MOC meeting approved and recommended the adoption of the BHCPF 2.0 Guideline to enhance the administration, disbursement, and monitoring of the Fund,” a statement from the meeting confirmed.

As part of the implementation strategy, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare is expected to provide further updates on the involvement of local governments and clarifications on government structures guiding the fund’s operations.

In line with the newly adopted guideline, the committee approved the disbursement of N32,880,443,906.25 for the first quarter of 2025.

The funds, scheduled for release in April, will be allocated to NHIA, NPHCDA, NCDC, and NEMSAS.

“The MOC approved the disbursement of N32,880,443,906.25 for the first quarter of 2025 (January–March), with disbursement scheduled for April 2025,” the meeting report stated.

The funds will be distributed in compliance with the approved BHCPF 2.0 Guidelines to ensure continuous and effective service delivery across Nigeria’s healthcare system.

The meeting also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing health sector reforms through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), which aligns with the Health Sector Renewal Initiative and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader health sector agenda.

“In line with Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Initiative and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s endorsement of the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp), the MOC reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the BHCPF,” the committee stated.

Through this approach, the revised BHCPF framework will create a more harmonized and coordinated health financing structure, allowing for optimal resource utilization and improved healthcare access for underserved populations.

The MOC also took time to honour Dr. Mukhtar, Secretary of the Committee, following his appointment as a Permanent Secretary designate.

His contributions to the oversight and implementation of the BHCPF were recognized during a valedictory session.