Stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have renewed calls for the timely conclusion of the amendment process of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), as part of efforts to strengthen sustainable healthcare financing and improve access to quality health services across the country.
The call was made during a Multistakeholder Dialogue on the Timely Conclusion of the BHCPF Amendment Process convened by the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Health, with support from the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) under the Partnership to Reach Every Child (PREACH) Project.
The dialogue brought together National Assembly administrative officials, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society organizations (CSOs), and media practitioners to review progress on the proposed amendment to the National Health Act.
The proposed amendment seeks to increase the allocation to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one percent to two percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, a move stakeholders say will significantly strengthen primary healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes nationwide.
The session was moderated by the Chief Executive Officer of VNDC, Mrs. Chika Offor, who led discussions on the theme, “Perspectives from Key Stakeholders on the Importance of Timely Concurrence for Sustainable Health Financing.”
Participants explored the implications of the amendment for Nigeria’s healthcare system, while government agencies, development partners, and legislative stakeholders shared insights on the urgent need to conclude the legislative process to ensure improved financing for the health sector.
Providing an update on the amendment process, the Clerk of the Senate Committee on Health, Mrs. Rosemary Udomah, outlined the progress made since the bill was passed by the Senate and highlighted the current stage of concurrence in the House of Representatives.
She noted that sustained engagement among stakeholders has been instrumental in advancing the amendment and expressed optimism that the process would be concluded within the lifespan of the 10th National Assembly.
Further clarifications on the legislative and administrative procedures required to finalize the amendment were provided by Mr. Akpevwe Dariese of the Bills Department, National Assembly, who explained the steps necessary for harmonization and eventual transmission for presidential assent.
A major outcome of the dialogue was the strengthening of legislative alignment and stakeholder commitment toward accelerating the amendment process. Participants agreed on the importance of maintaining momentum to ensure the bill progresses without unnecessary delays.
The meeting also confirmed that the National Health Act Amendment Bill has advanced to the concurrence stage, with its First Reading already completed in the House of Representatives. Stakeholders were further assured that the bill would proceed through the remaining stages without the need for another public hearing.
Participants emphasized the need for continued collaboration among parliamentarians, legislative officials, government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and the media to secure the timely passage of the amendment, which is expected to enhance sustainable health financing and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.