President Bola Tinubu has prioritized and is improving Nigeria’s healthcare sector by allocating increased funds to the sector in the proposed 2024 budget.
He made this declaration at the unveiling of Nigeria’s Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and the signing of the Health Renewal Compact by Federal, State Governments, and Development Partners in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a Statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu announced plans for a comprehensive revamp of physical infrastructure, equipment, and re-training frontline health workers starting from 2024 to address primary healthcare’s importance in building a resilient integrated healthcare system.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) will be redesigned to enhance access to essential healthcare services as outlined in the National Health Act (2014).
The BHCPF will receive at least $2.5 billion in pooled and non-pooled financing from 2024 to 2026 to improve primary health systems nationwide.
Plans are underway to double fully functional Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) from 8,809 to 17,618 by 2027 across all states including FCT linked with a comprehensive emergency care system. A mechanism for pooled procurement of critical pharmaceuticals will be established in 2024 aimed at lowering costs while guaranteeing quality making life-saving medications more affordable for Nigerians.