Stakeholders in the administration of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in Edo State have met in Benin City to review the implementation of the fund in the State.

The stakeholders included representatives of the National Health Insurance Authority, State Social Health Insurance Agency, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and Primary Health Care Facility Managers, amongst others.

Inaugurated in 2019, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is meant to strengthen public health facilities in remote areas across the country. It provides free minimum basic healthcare and emergency medical treatment to the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians through accredited Primary Health Centres in each of the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Fund is meant to finance the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services, increase the fiscal space for health, strengthen the national health system, particularly at the Primary Health Centres level, by making provisions for routine daily operational costs, and ensure access to health care for all, particularly the poor, thus contributing to overall national productivity.

A representative of the NHIA from the Abuja Office, Dr Hadizat Suleiman said Primary Health Centres in Edo have stepped up their coordination. She observed that there have been great improvement on the administration and implementation of the fund by accredited PHCs compared to what is obtainable in other states of the federation.

The Edo State NHIA Acting Coordinator, Theordore Ehanire explained that the stakeholders’ forum brings every agency up to speed on observed challenges and proffer solutions. These solutions he noted will further drive a seamless process, ensuring that enrollees under the Fund get the best of services.

Some of the critical stakeholders, including Dr Owen Omorogbe from the Edo State Health Insurance Commission, and Theodora Edonyabo of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency commended the initiative of the NHIA stressing that all hands must be on deck to achieve successful implementation of the BHCPF. They also vowed to return to their various agencies with a renewed vigour to do more.