Senate Confirms Tinubu Will Sign Health Fund Increase Bill

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will assent to the National Health Act Amendment Bill, which seeks to raise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from 1% to 2% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). Ipialibo Harry-Banigo, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, provided this assurance during a visit to the Coalition of Health Sector Stakeholders in Abuja.

The bill aims to strengthen primary healthcare services across Nigeria's 774 local government areas, improving access to quality healthcare, especially for women, children, and underserved communities. The current 1% allocation from the 2014 National Health Act is deemed inadequate due to Nigeria's growing population and healthcare challenges.

The bill has garnered widespread support from civil society organizations and development partners and is expected to be expedited through the House of Representatives. Stakeholders, including Dr.

Chika Offor and Prof. Emmanuel Alhassan Ghai, welcomed the Senate's passage of the bill as a significant milestone for sustainable healthcare financing and universal health coverage in Nigeria.