FG approves ₦32bn disbursement to PHCs

The Federal Government has announced the approval and commencement of a ₦32 billion disbursement to Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) nationwide under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, confirmed the development during the 14th Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on Tuesday.

The funds are part of the broader Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

Speaking, Pate revealed that the government is currently on track to expand this direct facility financing to include an additional 5,000 healthcare centres, significantly broadening the reach of essential medical services at the grassroots level.

Highlighting the tangible impact of ongoing reforms, the Minister noted that over 40,000 women have already benefited from free emergency obstetric services.

This initiative, designed to curb maternal mortality, ensures that critical childbirth interventions are reimbursed by the government, making life-saving care affordable for vulnerable families.

He also revealed that the government’s dedicated fistula treatment programme has successfully reached more than 4,000 patients, providing them with free surgeries and restorative care to reclaim their livelihoods.

Beyond maternal health, the Minister reported a historic milestone in the nation’s immunization efforts, with over 102 million children vaccinated during a recent integrated measles and rubella campaign.

To further strengthen the emergency response ecosystem, the MOC also approved a review of tariffs for ambulance services, increasing rates to incentivize both public and private providers to respond more effectively to medical emergencies nationwide.