FG health fund disbursement of N32bn boosts primary healthcare, expands facilities and supports free maternal services nationwide

The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the disbursement of N32 billion to health facilities under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, following deliberations at a Ministerial Oversight Committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the decision while briefing journalists, stating that the move reflects steady progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health sector renewal investment initiative.

Pate said the FG health fund disbursement is already reaching facilities nationwide, with the committee also reviewing performance indicators across primary healthcare, including utilisation rates, mortality figures and immunisation coverage.

“The resources that the Federal Government is disbursing through the BHCPF are getting to the facilities, and we also approved the disbursement of N32 billion to the facilities,” he said.

The minister disclosed that reforms introduced last year are being implemented, with plans underway to expand direct funding to an additional 5,000 healthcare facilities across the country.

He added that the committee approved an upward review of tariffs for emergency ambulance services to encourage more effective participation from both public and private providers.

Pate highlighted the impact of free emergency obstetric care, revealing that more than 40,000 women have received reimbursed services, significantly improving access and affordability.

“There is widespread acknowledgement that the vision of the president to make treatment of emergency obstetric services free is saving the lives of women,” he said.

The minister also noted that the government’s free fistula treatment programme has restored health and dignity to more than 4,000 women, describing it as a critical intervention in maternal healthcare.

On disease control, Pate said Nigeria records over 200 outbreak episodes annually but manages to contain most through early detection and rapid response led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

He urged state governments to strengthen their response systems and ensure adequate protection for frontline health workers.

In addition, the minister disclosed that more than 102 million children were reached during a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign, marking an unprecedented scale of preventive healthcare delivery.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public health funds.

Salako said civil society organisations are being engaged to monitor implementation at the facility level and ensure value for money in primary healthcare investments.

He further assured that the government would continue to strengthen training and safety measures for health workers, particularly in managing infectious disease outbreaks.

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The Basic Health Care Provision Fund, established under the National Health Act of 2014, remains a central pillar of Nigeria’s drive towards universal health coverage, providing essential services through coordinated funding and institutional support.