Group Wants Transparency, Accountability in Healthcare Funding

From Paul Orude Bauchi 

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has been urged to demonstrate greater commitment to transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and other healthcare donations from donor agencies.

In a statement issued to reporters in Bauchi, the Publicity Secretary of Watchdog on Leadership Development Initiative, Mukhtar Idris, said:

“The call for transparency and accountability in healthcare donations to Nigeria, as recently reported in the media, highlights a pressing concern. I read in national dailies the concerns raised by BudgIT Foundation and one Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim, and I was appalled by the situation.”

He noted that it is reasonable to expect foreign donors—who are held to strict transparency and accountability standards in their home countries—to insist on similar standards in Nigeria.

> “In their home countries, donors are subject to rigorous oversight. Any hint of mismanagement would spark public outcry, rage, and possibly withdrawal of donations. It would smack of double standards if donors are held accountable at home, but similar standards are not applied when donating to countries like Nigeria,” he added.

Idris stressed that transparency in fund management must be given serious priority, calling for clear and regular reporting on fund utilisation as well as strong accountability mechanisms to prevent corruption and mismanagement.

He explained that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, established under the 2014 National Health Act, is financed through a 1 percent contribution from Nigeria’s consolidated annual revenue, alongside development partner donations, with the aim of providing a basic minimum package of health services nationwide, especially emergency medical services in rural areas.

He alleged that the Federal Ministry of Health is not doing enough, noting that many rural dwellers are unaware of how they can benefit from the programme.

Idris said the ministry must adopt a more robust approach that reaches all nooks and crannies of rural communities to ensure effective basic healthcare service delivery. He emphasized the need for accountability and transparency so that poor rural dwellers benefit as intended under the law.

He called on the Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, to ensure that the four BHCPF gateways respond effectively to the healthcare needs of ordinary Nigerians, as mandated by the law. 

The gateways include National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA),National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA),National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC), andNigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

According to him, “Accountability and transparency are the foundation of BHCPF to ensure that the funds disbursed are properly utilised. The ministry must initiate a series of activities—not just paperwork but physical efforts—to ensure accountability at all levels of government. The funding is backed by an Act of the National Assembly, so it is sustainable and guaranteed.”

Idris noted that the BHCPF is expected to address critical issues such as maternal and childhood mortality and ensure proper disbursement of funds to local governments. However, he challenged journalists to ask rural residents if they are aware of the fund, saying the answer may likely be negative.

> “We learnt that ₦32.9 billion was released to 8,000 health facilities. The ministry must introduce accelerated initiatives that will transform the health sector and ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare regardless of location or economic status.”

He urged the coordinating minister to take bold steps to ensure efficient utilisation of the BHCPF, galvanise stakeholders, and align all efforts toward improving healthcare access for poor rural communities.

Finally, he called for the involvement of private partners, experts, and professionals to help educate rural dwellers on the benefits of the basic healthcare programme. These experts, he said, would also help track funds released to each centre and monitor implementation to ensure the intended beneficiaries are reached.