By: Gabriel Ogunjobi –
The 8th National Assembly has proven to hold basic healthcare priority for Nigerian people as it just approved 1% of Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government for Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The Legislative Network for Universal Healthcare Coverage launched by the Senate last year provided the impetus to galvanize support and leverage statutory roles of lawmakers to reform the health landscape in Nigeria.
dnnafrica.com gathered some of the benefits that this newly signed bill is set to avail to Nigerians as enlisted by the Nigerian Senate.
Employment: Local government primary health centres, would have enough money to maintain it and pay its staff. At least 3000 Nigerians in each LGA will having funding set aside for them in the BHCPF for the provision of primary healthcare. This will create more jobs.
The BHCPF will also provide basic minimum package of care through strengthened Primary Health Care Systems and expanded health insurance coverage including improved access to emergency services.
Well-equipped healthcare centers: The increase in the funding for healthcare will translate to that Primary Healthcare Centers across the country which will be better equipped to serve the nation with better healthcare facilities and equipment and the availability medicine to patients
Improved Healthcare Indices in Nigeria:
Nigeria currently accounts for 10% of the world’s maternal mortality; has the 3rd highest infant mortality in the world (9%); and accounts for 8% of the world’s infant mortality. Additionally, 97% of Nigerians are at risk of Malaria.
This National Assembly’s mandate toward the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund will help to improve this indices.
As the last, it will be commendable to note that the approval of the 1% out of the CRF for Primary Healthcare is bringing the country towards the attainment of Universal Healthcare.
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