The Minister said “we desire a purposeful cooperation and collaboration between the FMOH, Legislatives Network for Universal Health Coverage, other Civil Society Advocates and all the National Assembly Committees to support the releases of the 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund in the 2018 budget”.

 

Dr. Osagie said that the National Health Act 2014 set aside 1% of the consolidated Revenue fund as Basic Healthcare Provision Fund. He said 50 % of the said fund should enter the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) gateway, and 45% the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) leaving 5% as Emergency Fund to utilize via the FMOH gateway.

 

The Minister said that operationalization of National Health Act 2014 is expected to support physical and financial access to healthcare through revamping of PHC centers and solving Human Resources for Health challenges for basic healthcare package. The Minister described the basic healthcare package as free antenatal and postnatal care, free immunization services and free treatment of children under the age of five.

 

Osagie noted that Universal Health Coverage is important in the National Health System as it involved social protection to ensure that Nigerian citizens get quality health service when and where they need it without suffering financial hardship.  “Government recognizes the PHC centers as the platform for achieving UHC and is pursuing the rehabilitation of almost 10,000 PHC centers in Nigeria between now and the end of 2019” Osagie said.

 

He said the gesture would support equity especially among rural dwellers and the urban poor, leaving no one behind. School children, the elderly and childbearing women will also enjoy healthcare access, without risk of financial ruin to their families, he said.

 

 

 

Source: Pharmatimes