Percy Onyeka
The federal government said it would release the sum of N50 billion, as the first tranche of the Basic Healthcare Fund, which is a significant increase from N25 billion allocated in 2022.
Coordinating minister of health and social welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who announced this during a ministerial press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, noted that the infusion of the funds would breathe new life into the primary healthcare facilities,.to ensure that quality health care is accessible to all citizens.
Pate revealed that since the beginning of this administration, the federal government has equally enrolled about 750,000 Nigerians in health insurance, adding that government remains committed to providing access to quality health for all Nigerians through the Vulnerable Group Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
The minister stated that the federal government has made substantial strides in expanding health insurance coverage, adding that while recognizing that financial barriers often deter individuals from seeking medical care, government has worked tirelessly to increase the accessibility and affordability of health insurance schemes.
He added that by supporting enrollment initiatives and streamlining administrative processes, government has also extended coverage to millions of Nigerians, safeguarding them against the financial hardships associated with healthcare expenses.
He continued, “Furthermore, our commitment to immunization has yielded remarkable results in protecting our population from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Through robust vaccination campaigns and outreach programs, we have achieved significant strides in sustaining immunization coverage nationwide, safeguarding our communities, particularly our children, from devastating diseases.
Notably, our swift response to the diphtheria outbreak underscored our commitment to proactive disease control measures, swiftly containing the spread and saving countless lives.
Since the inception of diphtheria response, over 5 million children have been immunized with the Penta vaccine and 10 million children with Td vaccines.
In our ongoing efforts to combat the threat of Lassa fever, I am pleased to announce the comprehensive measures taken by the Federal Government to enhance response capabilities and safeguard the health of Nigerians.”
Earlier in his remarks, the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, had noted that Nigeria has begun to reap the benefits of the reforms being spearheaded by Mr. President, which includes GDP growth of 3.46% in the fourth quarter of 2023 as against 2.54% recorded in the third quarter of 2023.
Idris said capital importation rose to 66% in the fourth quarter of 2023, reversing a 36% decline in the third quarter, while petrol importation has been reduced by 50% since the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy, just as the Nigerian Stock Exchange All Share Index crossed the 100,000 mark – its highest ever, mainly due to the pragmatic reforms initiated by the President, which inspired investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.
“It is also encouraging to state that oil production has risen from 1.22 million barrels per day in the second quarter of 2023 to 1.55 million barrels per day in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The President has also given a directive for the design of a Social Security Unemployment Programme to cater for the unemployed graduates.
This is in addition to setting up of a Social Consumer Credit Scheme to boost the purchasing power of Nigerians, as they make adjustments in view of the temporary economic hardship,” he added.
The minister explained that the series of the ministerial press briefing was initiated to provide a platform for public officials to reel out their achievements and equally appraise Nigerians of the challenges of governance, and to also create a chance for distinguished members of the press, to engage with senior officials of the federal government, on behalf of the good people of Nigeria, in keeping with the responsibility as the watchdog of the society.
DAVID ADUGE-ANI, ABUJA
