N40.76bn Approved for Basic Health Care Fund; 90,000 Inmates to Get Health Insurance

The Federal Government has approved N40.76 billion for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for the third quarter of 2026, an increase of N7.88 billion on the N32.88 billion released in the second quarter. The decision was taken at a meeting of the fund’s oversight committee in Abuja on October 14 and announced by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

The committee also approved health insurance coverage for about 90,000 people in custodial centres, to be administered through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). Inmates who are already covered by state health schemes will not be enrolled twice.

More clinics in the network

Government plans also include expanding the number of primary healthcare facilities supported by the fund from 8,309 to 13,521, an addition of 5,212 centres. Primary healthcare centres are usually the first point of contact for families seeking immunisation, antenatal care, treatment for malaria and other common illnesses, so the expansion could bring basic services closer to more communities, especially in rural areas.

The BHCPF is designed to support essential services for poor and vulnerable Nigerians. Eligibility and enrolment are handled through state health insurance agencies, which work with the NHIA and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Key points

• Q3 allocation: N40.76 billion, up from N32.88 billion in Q2.
• Inmates: about 90,000 to receive NHIA-administered insurance.
• Facilities: plan to grow supported clinics from 8,309 to 13,521.
• Accountability: a review of delayed transfers is due within six weeks.

How to benefit

Residents who think they may qualify for BHCPF-supported care should contact their state health insurance agency or visit an enrolled primary healthcare centre for information on registration. The government says an investigation into delays in transferring funds to some facilities is expected to report within six weeks, which health advocates say is vital for making sure money reaches the clinics that need it.

Photo: Unsplash (illustrative).