Nigeria has invested more than 192 billion naira in primary healthcare since 2019 through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). This significant investment aims to strengthen healthcare facilities across the country and improve access to quality medical services for all Nigerians, particularly those in rural and underserved areas.
The BHCPF was established under the National Health Act of 2014 to provide a steady funding source for primary healthcare. The fund receives at least 1% of the federal government’s consolidated revenue annually, along with contributions from donors and private sector partners. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) manages 45% of these funds to support operational costs at primary healthcare centers nationwide.
According to Dr. Muyi Aina, Executive Director of the NPHCDA, more than 8,300 healthcare facilities currently receive quarterly payments from the BHCPF. These allocations were recently increased from approximately 300,000 naira to between 600,000 and 800,000 naira per quarter, depending on the size and patient volume of each facility. This increase, dubbed “BHCPF 2.0,” is designed to better address the real operational costs of healthcare delivery, including human resources, essential medicines, and infrastructure maintenance.
The funding has enabled facilities to improve their services and reduce financial barriers for patients. However, challenges remain, including currency fluctuations, rising costs of medical supplies, and significant out-of-pocket expenses that still account for a large portion of healthcare spending in Nigeria. The public sector’s contribution to health expenditure remains low at just 14%.
To address these challenges, the government is implementing stricter accountability measures. A direct funding mechanism has been piloted in several states, allowing payments for commodities and health worker salaries to be made directly into designated accounts. This approach aims to reduce leakages and ensure that funds reach their intended targets.
Despite these efforts, vaccine management remains a concern, with government analysis indicating that 15-25% of non-campaign vaccines cannot be accounted for due to wastage, inaccurate population estimates, or weaknesses in management systems. The government is working with states to identify and address these issues at the local level.
The BHCPF represents a critical component of Nigeria’s strategy to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. Through continued investment and improved accountability, the government aims to build a healthier future for all Nigerians.
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