The Federal Government has inaugurated a National Steering Committee on Basic Health Care Provision Fund to advocate for more resources and ensure smooth operation of the fund.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan signed the National Health Act (2014) which stipulates that one per cent of consolidated fund be set aside for health care provision.
Mrs Boade Akinola, Director of Media and Public Relations of the Ministry of Health, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, inaugurated and chaired the committee.
Akinola quoted the minister as saying that Niger, Abia and Osun states were selected to serve as the first set of states for commencement of the implementation of the programme.
The minister added that the programme was scheduled to begin by the second quarter of 2018, adding that baseline survey of the facilities to be used in each selected states has also commenced.
According to the minister, Global Financing Facility through the World Bank and Bill and Melinda Foundation provided initial resources to implement Section 11 of National Health Act 2014.
However, the minister explained that Section 11 of the National Health Act 2014 provides for the basic minimum package of healthcare services for all Nigerians.
The minister said the terms of reference for the committee, includes promoting true collaboration in the development and implementation of basic healthcare provision fund and being fully transparent in its decision making.
Others are the review updates on funds flow, performance management and verification of result provided by the secretariat; monitor progress against approved plans and guidelines and appointment of external auditors.
It also quoted the Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, as saying that implementation of basic healthcare provision fund is one of the strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Ehanire appreciated the donor partners for their contributions to the Nigeria health sector.
He added that despite the challenges in the health sector, Nigeria is working toward provision of quality healthcare to all.
Responding on behalf of the donor partners, Mr Paulim Basinga, representative of Global Financing Facility, said that two million dollars have been committed for the basic healthcare provision fund.
Basinga assured the minister of more support from the donor agencies.
The Commissioner for Health, Niger, Dr Mustapha Jibril, while speaking on behalf of benefitting states, said “there is no doubt that basic healthcare provision fund would improve the health indices of the selected states”. (NAN)
