The Nigerian Senate has assured stakeholders in the health sector that President Bola Tinubu will sign into law the proposed amendment to the National Health Act, which seeks to increase funding for basic healthcare services across the country.
The amendment bill aims to raise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, a move expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery, especially at the primary level.
The assurance was given on Wednesday in Abuja by Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).
She spoke during a visit by a coalition of health sector stakeholders who came to commend the Senate for passing the amendment bill.
According to Banigo, the proposed increase in funding is necessary due to Nigeria’s growing population and the rising demand for healthcare services across the country.
She explained that the current one per cent allocation, introduced under the National Health Act, is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level.
“We had a National Health Act in 2014, and there was a provision for basic healthcare, but it was only one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Our population has been growing, and we still have many preventable diseases that need urgent attention,” she said.
Banigo noted that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund plays a key role in supporting primary healthcare centres across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas. She said the fund provides direct financing to these centres, helping them deliver essential services to communities.
Primary healthcare centres are often the first point of contact for many Nigerians, especially in rural and underserved areas. However, many of these facilities face challenges such as poor funding, lack of equipment, and shortage of medical personnel.
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Banigo also highlighted that the fund supports other important health programmes, including the National Health Insurance Authority, disease control efforts, and emergency healthcare interventions.
She stressed that improving funding for healthcare is critical to achieving better outcomes for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
“Vaccines are a very important part of the care we give to our children and pregnant women to prevent many illnesses,” she said, adding that adequate funding would also support vaccine storage and immunisation programmes at the primary healthcare level.
The senator expressed confidence that the bill would receive quick approval from the House of Representatives, which must agree with the Senate’s decision before it is sent to the President for final approval.
“We are going to get concurrence from the House of Representatives, and then it will be taken to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, who is a very health-positive president. We have no doubts that he will assent to it,” she said.
The proposed amendment has received strong backing from civil society organisations, development partners, and health advocates who have long called for increased investment in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Earlier, a coalition of stakeholders, including the Vaccine Network for Disease Control and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, described the Senate’s passage of the bill as a major milestone.
They said the move would help ensure sustainable financing for healthcare and support Nigeria’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Dr Chika Offor praised the Senate and Senator Banigo for their role in pushing the bill forward.
She described the development as a major step toward improving access to quality healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations.
“Before we can do anything, the policy must be passed. Today is a happy day for us as civil society organisations,” she said.
According to her, increasing the health fund will strengthen primary healthcare centres and ensure that more Nigerians, particularly children and pregnant women, can access essential services.
“It means more lives will be saved, and pregnant women will be properly taken care of,” she added, expressing optimism that the bill would soon become law.
Nigeria’s healthcare system has faced numerous challenges over the years, including underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to services in rural areas.
Many Nigerians still rely on out-of-pocket payments for healthcare, which can be expensive and discourage people from seeking medical help when needed.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund was introduced in 2014 as part of efforts to improve healthcare delivery, but its impact has been limited by the relatively low level of funding.
By increasing the allocation to two per cent, the government aims to provide more resources to healthcare facilities and improve service delivery across the country.
The proposed reform also aligns with global efforts to strengthen health systems and ensure that everyone has access to essential healthcare services without financial hardship.
Stakeholders say that if properly implemented, the increased funding could lead to better-equipped health centres, improved staffing, and more effective disease prevention programmes.
They also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in managing the funds to ensure that they are used for their intended purpose.
As the bill moves to the House of Representatives for concurrence, expectations are high that lawmakers will act quickly to finalise the process.
If approved and signed into law by the President, the amendment could mark a significant turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
For millions of Nigerians, especially those in rural and underserved communities, the proposed increase in health funding offers hope for better access to care and improved health outcomes.
As Senator Banigo noted, the goal is to ensure that no Nigerian is left behind when it comes to access to quality healthcare.
With the Senate’s backing and growing support from stakeholders, attention now shifts to the House of Representatives and the Presidency as the country moves closer to a major reform in its healthcare system.