The Senate has approved an increase in funding for Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), raising it to 2 per cent of consolidated revenue to strengthen primary healthcare delivery.

The approval follows the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) on “National Health Act (amendment) Bill, 2026.

Presenting the report, Chairperson of the Committee, Ipalibo Banigo, who also sponsored the bill, recalled that it was read for the second time on October 22, 2025.

She said the bill sought to amend the National Health Act. No. 8, 2014, for the purpose of increasing the BHCPF from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

“Primary Health Care is the bedrock of any strong health system. It is where mothers give birth, children are immunised, and diseases are detected and treated early.

“Yet, across many communities in Nigeria, primary health centres struggle with poor infrastructure, inadequate staff and shortages of essential medicines and commodities.

“By raising the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one per cent to two per cent of the CRF, we will increase available funding to strengthen existing frontline facilities, recruit and retain skilled health workers.

“And guarantee access to essential medicines and services, particularly for women, children and rural populations.”

Ms Banigo added that the increase would also reduce financial hardship for households, who currently bear the highest share of health costs.

“And align Nigeria with best practices across other African countries that have adopted higher domestic health investment thresholds.”

She noted that the BHCPF was established under Section 11 of the National Health Act, 2014, to provide a guaranteed minimum package of health services for all Nigerians.

“It represents Nigeria’s first statutory mechanism for sustainable health financing.”

According to the lawmaker, more people need care, donor funds aren’t increasing, and families pay over 75 per cent of health costs out-of-pocket, stressing that the one per cent health allocation is failing.

Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary) to investigate the reported COVID-19 case in Cross River State.

He directed the relevant health authorities to verify the claim and present a briefing on Tuesday.

(NAN)