The Federal Ministry of Health has announced that it has engaged the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to monitor and track the utilization of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund across the country.
This was disclosed by a team led by a member of the Ministerial Oversight Committee/Basic Health Care Provision Fund Secretariat, Dakum Benji, on Monday, during a one-day onboarding workshop for State Oversight Committees of the BHCPF for the North-East region held in Bauchi.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, Benji said the move aimed to ensure accountability, transparency, and efficient implementation of the fund at the federal, state, local government, and facility levels.
According to him, communities must remain vigilant and report any misuse or diversion of funds to the appropriate authorities through the text, phone, and email channels provided for feedback.
He said, “The Coordinating Minister of Health has instructed that implementation, ownership, and accountability of this fund must start from the Consolidated Revenue Fund where it is sourced, and be tracked down to the facility level.
“Citizens are encouraged to report commendations, criticisms, or misconduct to strengthen accountability.”
Benji explained that civil society organisations and community-led engagements were integral to the accountability framework to ensure that funds are appropriately utilized and that citizens take ownership of what happens within health facilities.
He added that the ultimate goal is to ensure that primary healthcare facilities at the grassroots have functional, accessible, affordable, and reliable services, especially for vulnerable populations.
Benji expressed optimism that with improved tracking, community involvement, and ICPC’s oversight, Nigerians will witness better service delivery and reduced cases of stock-outs of essential drugs at primary health centres nationwide.
Also commenting, the Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health on Governance, Coordination, and State Engagement, Ashiru Adamu, said the Federal Government had introduced stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency in the management of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
