Abuja, March 24, 2026 — Nigeria’s push to rebuild its healthcare system gained fresh momentum yesterday as the Federal Government unveiled a sweeping set of reforms and funding commitments aimed at transforming service delivery at the grassroots.
At the centre of the announcement was the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), held in Abuja, where stakeholders across government, development partners, and civil society gathered to review progress and unlock new priorities under the evolving BHCPF 2.0 framework.
A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of ₦32.88 billion for Q1 2026, a critical injection designed to sustain operations at Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the country and expand access to essential services.
Speaking to journalists after the session, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, said the intervention reflects a deliberate effort by the administration to reposition healthcare delivery where it matters most.
“This funding is about ensuring that primary healthcare centres across Nigeria remain functional, responsive, and capable of meeting the needs of our people”, he said.
“We are prioritizing the frontline of care — the facilities that Nigerians rely on every day, especially in rural and underserved communities.”
The Minister explained that the latest disbursement is part of a broader reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, focused on revitalizing the health sector and expanding coverage.
“This is not a one-off effort,” he noted. “We are scaling up. More facilities will come on board in subsequent phases as we continue to expand access and improve quality of care across the country”, he stated.
According to him, the government’s approach goes beyond funding to include systemic improvements that ensure sustainability and measurable outcomes.
Also, in a move expected to significantly improve emergency care, the committee also approved revised ambulance tariffs under the Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT) Gateway. Mr. Pate described the decision as a necessary reform to make emergency transport systems more effective and attractive to service providers.
“A strong health system must be able to respond in emergencies,” he said.
“By revising ambulance tariffs, we are creating a more sustainable framework that will encourage participation and ultimately save lives”, he enumerated.
The Minister also highlighted tangible gains already being recorded under ongoing programmes, particularly in maternal healthcare and public health interventions.
“Thousands of women facing childbirth complications have received life-saving care at no cost. These are real outcomes that show the impact of targeted investments in the health sector”, the Minister revealed.
He also pointed to continued support for patients requiring specialized and critical treatments, noting that such interventions are being scaled up nationwide.
On disease prevention, the government reported major strides in immunization coverage, with millions of children reached through nationwide campaigns.
“Our immunization efforts are expanding rapidly, and we are seeing strong results in protecting children from preventable diseases,” Pate said.
“This is central to securing the health of future generations.”
Deliberations at the meeting also emphasized the importance of coordination, transparency, and data-driven decision-making. Stakeholders reviewed updates from BHCPF gateways and national programmes, stressing improved performance tracking and efficient use of funds.
Civil society organizations were recognized as key partners in driving community awareness and ensuring accountability at the grassroots level.
The government is also exploring ways to bring private sector actors into the BHCPF framework, with consultations ongoing. “We are engaging widely to ensure that private sector participation is structured, effective, and aligned with national priorities,” the Minister explained, adding that clearer modalities are expected by the second quarter of 2026.
Summing up the outcomes of the meeting, Pate reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a health system that is accessible, affordable, and efficient.
“What we are doing is laying the foundation for a health system that works for every Nigerian. Through sustained investment, stronger coordination, and accountability, we are moving closer to universal health coverage”, he said.
The decisions taken signal a stronger, more coordinated push to:
* Sustain funding for primary healthcare nationwide.
* Improve emergency medical response systems.
* Expand access to essential and lifesaving services.
* Strengthen accountability and transparency in health financing.
* Enhance collaboration across public, private, and community stakeholders.
As Nigeria advances its health sector reforms, the outcomes of the Abuja meeting underscore a clear message: the focus is shifting from policy to impact — ensuring that healthcare improvements are felt in communities across the country.