Expanding Healthcare Coverage: A New Initiative for Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to expand the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to cover at least 20 million Nigerians within the next year. This initiative aims to strengthen primary healthcare delivery and accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage across the country.

The program will target vulnerable populations, including:

– Pregnant women
– Children under five
– The elderly
– Persons with disabilities
– Nigerians facing catastrophic health conditions or living in extreme poverty

– Doubling the current coverage of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to reach 15-20 million people in the next 6-12 months
– Focusing on equity and equality in prioritizing access and scaling up coverage
– Encouraging state-level basic healthcare funding ring-fenced by law to complement the BHCPF
– Exploring Public-Private Partnerships to improve access to care and implementing performance-based contracting for specialized services

The government is also exploring innovative financing mechanisms, including:

– Implementing tax laws from January 2026 to generate additional revenue for public health
– Considering sin taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages
– Establishing a Diaspora Health Investment Bond to raise $500m in healthcare financing for Nigeria

The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage and ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare. The World Health Organisation Representative and Head of Mission to Nigeria has emphasized that Universal Health Coverage is both a moral and legal obligation.