House of Reps Probes Non-Implementation Of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund
By Gloria Essien, Abuja
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the non-implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), urging the federal government to commence implementation of the scheme.
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This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Julius Ihonvebere and Hon. Prince Henry Okojie both from Edo State.
While moving the motion, Hon Okojie explained that the Basic Health Provision Fund, BHCPF was established in the National Health Act to extend Primary Health Care (PHC), to all Nigerians by substantially increasing the level of financial resources to Primary Health Care, PHC services.
He said that, “Since the establishment of the National Health Act in 2014, only about N128 billion has been released from the Federation Account to the fund.”
Hon Okojie expressed concern that disbursement of the fund to states was withheld because most of them failed to contribute the 25% counterpart funding towards PHC projects, which is the criteria that makes them eligible for fund donations, neither did they give a proper account of the funds released to them.
He noted that the disbursement of the fund to the three tiers of government has been fraught with irregularities, including delayed transfer of funds, poor data management, corruption and the lack of preparedness of Local Government Health Authorities to manage the Fund.
“Cognizant that the fund is structured in such a way that, if properly implemented, it would take a lot of stress out of healthcare endeavours in the country.
“Also cognizant of the need to commence full implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and devise strategies to ensure accountability between the stakeholders at different levels of government,” he said.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated relevant committee(s) to investigate the hindrances to the full implementation of the fund since inception to ensure that all bottlenecks to its successful implementation are effectively tackled, and report back within six weeks for further legislative action.
