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Health: Nigeria needs N1trn annually to cater for vulnerable citizens
The Federal Government says Nigeria will need one trillion Naira to cater for the health of the vulnerable citizens across the country.
This would be done through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
Dr Chris Isokpunwu, Secretary of the Ministerial Oversight committee for BHCPF, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), said this in Abuja at the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Financing Primary Health Care in Nigeria – Expanding the frontiers at the Sub-National”.
Isokpunwu said that the money would also enable the country to provide Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to vulnerable citizens.
He said that the BHCF allocation was based on equity, equality, and the indigent community, adding that It was also allocated based on the poverty index of each state.
According to him, there is a need to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and results to get more funding.
He said in doing so, the BHCPF account was being audited and the disbursement of all funds published.
Mr Christoph Kurowski, Global Lead of Health Financing, World Bank Group, Nigeria, recalled that the journey of Primary Health Care (PHC) financing in the country started more than 40 years ago.
Kurowski said that for many high-income countries, the vision is for 80 per cent of the population’s healthcare needs to be met at the primary healthcare level.
“Part of the challenge for most PHC financing is the knowledge gap, which could be knowing what to do and how to do it.
“It is critical to understand health financing, community environment, and how to tackle these issues in public health,” he said.
The U.S Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Director, Dr Mary Boyd, called for a mechanism to assess communities’ health needs and ensure that people going to PHC received quality and equitable services.
Boyd said that PHC workers must be trained to understand data management and how it can affect public health in the country.
Earlier, Dr Banji Filani, Chairperson of the Nigeria Health Commissioners’ Forum, said that the PHC Financing Forum aimed to bring together leaders at the sub-national level.
Filani, who is the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Ekiti state, said that the forum would enable them to explore how to advance the primary healthcare agenda in the country.
NAN reports that the Nigeria Health commissioners’ forum is the country’s community of practice and learning platform created by the 36 States’ health commissioners.
This year, the forum hosted the first collaborative event with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, focusing on Primary Health Care financing, particularly the role sub-national systems must play in the process.
The organisers said that primary health centres all over the world required adequate financing and service delivery, adding that Nigeria was not an exception.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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