The Federal Government has unveiled a major initiative to broaden access to healthcare by expanding the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to reach at least 20 million Nigerians. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, during the 66th National Council on Health meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State.
Speaking at the event, themed “My health, my right: Accelerating universal health coverage through equity, resilience, and innovation”, Dr. Salako emphasized that the expansion of the BHCPF is central to Nigeria’s push toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He noted that the government’s goal is to double the current coverage of the fund, which provides essential health services, strengthens primary healthcare delivery, and allocates resources for emergency treatment The Punch newsclickng.com.
The BHCPF, established under the National Health Act, is designed to ensure that Nigerians, especially those in rural and underserved communities, have access to basic health services without financial hardship. It channels funding into primary healthcare centers, supports maternal and child health, and provides emergency medical care.
Dr. Salako explained that the expansion plan will involve:
Scaling up primary healthcare facilities across the country.
Increasing funding allocations to states and local governments.
Strengthening accountability mechanisms to ensure effective use of resources.
Integrating equity and innovation into healthcare delivery to reach vulnerable populations.
He added that the Federal Government is committed to building a resilient and equitable health system, capable of delivering quality care nationwide. The initiative is also aligned with Nigeria’s broader health sector reforms, which aim to reach 44 million citizens by 2030 through expanded health insurance and coverage Lagos Television Vanguard News.
Public health experts have welcomed the move, noting that expanding coverage to 20 million Nigerians will significantly reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, which currently account for a large share of medical spending in the country.
The expansion of the BHCPF is expected to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s healthcare system, offering millions of citizens access to affordable and reliable medical services, while strengthening the foundation for universal health coverage.
