By Khalid Idris Doya An advocacy organisation, the Watchdog on Leadership Development Initiative, has called on the federal mi...
By Khalid Idris Doya
An advocacy organisation, the Watchdog on Leadership Development Initiative, has called on the federal ministry of health and social welfare to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and donations from international development partners.
In a statement issued in Bauchi yesterday, the group's publicity secretary, Mukhtar Idris, said recent media reports on calls for transparency, including those by BudgIT Foundation and public health advocate Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim, highlight serious concerns about the management of healthcare funds in Nigeria.
Idris said it was unacceptable for donor agencies, which are subjected to strict scrutiny and accountability in their home countries, to apply lower standards when operating in Nigeria.
"It is reasonable to expect that foreign donors, who face rigorous oversight at home, would insist on the same level of transparency here. Any hint of mismanagement in their countries would trigger public outrage and possibly withdrawal of support. It would be double standards to overlook accountability in Nigeria," he said.
He emphasised that transparent reporting on funds utilisation and strong accountability systems were essential to prevent corruption, mismanagement, and diversion of resources.
According to him, maintaining the same transparency standards in Nigeria ensures donor funds achieve meaningful impact and reach those who need them most.
Idris explained that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, created under the National Health Act of 2014, is financed by at least one percent of the consolidated national revenue and supplemented by donor contributions to provide a basic package of health services nationwide, especially in underserved rural communities.
He however faulted the Federal Ministry of Health for what he described as insufficient public awareness of the programme, especially at the grassroots.
"Many rural dwellers do not even know this programme exists, let alone how to benefit from it. The ministry must adopt a more robust approach to reach all nooks and crannies of rural Nigeria. Transparency and accountability are needed to ensure that poor rural communities truly benefit from the fund as intended by law," he said.
Idris urged the Coordinating Minister of Health, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, to ensure that the four BHCPF gateways, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) deliver on their mandates.
"Accountability and transparency are the foundation of the BHCPF. The ministry must go beyond paperwork and take practical steps to ensure funds are accounted for at all levels. Since the funding is backed by an Act of the National Assembly, it is sustainable. At least one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund is guaranteed for these services," he said.
Idris expressed concern that despite reports that N32.9 billion was released to 8,000 health facilities, many Nigerians remain unaware of the programme or its benefits.
He urged the minister to take giant steps to ensure efficient utilisation of the BHCPF and unify stakeholders toward a common goal of improving healthcare access for all citizens, particularly the rural poor.
He further advised the ministry to partner with private sector actors, experts and professionals who can help educate rural communities on the benefits of basic healthcare services and track funds going to each facility to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are reached.
No comments