Group commends FG for approving 2020 BHCPF guidelines

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The National Advocates for Health (NAH) has commended the Nigeran Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Council on Health (NCH) for approving the 2020 Revised Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Guideline during the NCH Meeting held on Thursday, 6th August, 2020.
The group also called for speedy, transparent, and accountable implementation.
NA4H in a statement issued yesterday by Professor O. A. Ladipo, its
Chairman, said the meeting was held virtually with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire presiding and has attendance of 28 Commissioners of Health and Secretary of Health of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) along with the Minister of State, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora and the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdulaziz Mashi Abdullahi.
The Ministry of Health in a statement said the BHCPF is derived from an annual grant from the Federal Government of Nigeria of not less than one per cent (1%) of its Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), grants by international donor partners, funds from any other sources, inclusive of the private sector.
Meanwhile, in approving the revised BHCPF, the NCH has adopted the following resolutions:
“Conscious of the logjam in accessing the BHCPF, the agreement reached by FMOH with the Governors’ Forum on the issue of payment of 25% counterpart fund through annual state budgetary provisions was endorsed for implementation.
“Aware of the delay that the BHCPF had suffered, disbursement of funds to States should commence immediately.
“Recalling the provisions of the National Health Act (2014) and the guidance provided by the National Assembly, the BHCPF will continue to accept all donor contributions towards enhancing equity in access to health care.”