FG Approves N40.76bn Health Fund Allocation, Extends Insurance to Inmates

The Federal Government has approved N40.76 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2026 and extended health insurance coverage to approximately 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities across the country.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the decisions following the 16th meeting of the fund’s Ministerial Oversight Committee in Abuja.

The latest allocation of N40.76 billion represents an increase of about N7.88 billion from the N32.88 billion approved for the second quarter of the year.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the funds will be distributed through four statutory gateways. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will receive N19.87 billion, while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) will get N18.34 billion.

The Emergency Medical Treatment gateway has been allocated N2.04 billion, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) will receive N509.48 million.

Pate said increased funding must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management and improved healthcare outcomes, particularly for poor and underserved communities.

The committee also approved the inclusion of inmates in the Vulnerable Group Health Insurance Fund following a request by the Nigerian Correctional Service. The initiative is expected to provide basic healthcare coverage for about 90,000 inmates nationwide.

Implementation will involve the NHIA and the correctional service, with safeguards and regular reporting. Inmates already covered by state health insurance schemes will be excluded to prevent duplication.

The government also plans to expand the number of primary healthcare facilities receiving support under the fund from 8,309 to 13,521, adding 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Other measures approved include pooled procurement of essential medicines through MEDIPOOL, intended to improve purchasing efficiency, strengthen quality assurance and promote transparency in the supply chain.

The committee further agreed to establish a subcommittee to investigate delays in the movement of funds through the fund’s gateways, states and local government areas to health facilities. The subcommittee is expected to submit its report within six weeks.

The government said it would continue working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to monitor health-sector spending and prevent the misuse of public funds.