Health stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, to strengthen transparency and improve public awareness on the utilisation of the ₦32.9 billion Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) disbursed to over 8,000 health facilities across the country.
Speaking to journalists on Monday in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area, the Director of Andiwa Farmers Association, Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim, said rural dwellers, peasant farmers, and vulnerable groups must be educated about the funds allocated for their healthcare needs.
“The poor and vulnerable citizens need to be enlightened about how to access healthcare services and to know that certain amounts of money are set aside for them in specific health facilities. Many of them are illiterate and don’t even know which facilities received allocations meant for them,” Dr. Yahaya said.
He expressed concern over the Federal Ministry of Health’s silence following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by BudgIT Foundation, a civic tech organisation, demanding details of the ₦32.9 billion disbursed under the BHCPF’s third round of funding.
“BudgIT wrote to the ministry weeks ago, seeking a list of the benefiting facilities and the funds released to each, but up till now, there has been no response. This is against the law. The FOI Act mandates the ministry to respond within seven days,” he said.
Dr. Yahaya commended BudgIT and its public accountability initiative, Tracka, for monitoring government projects to ensure effective delivery. He noted that the organisation’s efforts to demand transparency were in line with the rule of law and the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as a “democrat who respects accountability.”
He added that BudgIT’s request specifically sought the full list of 8,000+ health facilities benefiting from the third-round BHCPF funding, the location of each facility by state and local government area; and the amount allocated and disbursed to each facility.
Dr. Yahaya further urged BudgIT to extend its inquiries to local and international donor agencies, including the Dangote Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Carter Foundation, to ascertain how their donations to Nigeria’s health sector are being utilised.
“Apart from the ₦32.9 billion approved by President Tinubu, other donations by partners are often shrouded in mystery. BudgIT should also ask how much was donated and how these funds are being used,” he said.
Commenting on the recently established Oversight Committee/Basic Health Care Provision Fund Secretariat, which the minister said would work with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to ensure transparency, Dr. Yahaya urged the ministry to allow neutral organisations to take the lead.
“While this may sound noble, it’s better if independent NGOs like BudgIT handle the tracking on behalf of Nigerians. The choice of Bauchi State to launch the oversight exercise has also raised questions about the real motive,” he added.
Dr. Yahaya also highlighted the poor state of medical equipment in hospitals, recounting how his relative suffered at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, due to the absence of diagnostic tools and slow service delivery.
He urged the minister to equip hospitals with essential machines and strengthen monitoring mechanisms through discreet agencies to address unethical practices among some healthcare workers.
“Our people are afraid to complain about the conduct of some hospital staff. The minister should engage secret security services to monitor operations in hospitals. Even in polio immunisation, the system needs sanitisation,” he said.
He also encouraged Nigerians to assert their rights and report irregularities in public health institutions.
PUNCH gathered that the Federal Government recently reaffirmed its commitment to tracking all monies released under the BHCPF’s new 2.0 Guidelines.
Speaking in Zaria, Kaduna State, the Ministerial Oversight Committee Secretary, Dr. Oreshoremi Ogbe, expressed concern over persistent accountability issues revealed in the 2023 BHCPF Audit Report.
He said the revised guidelines were designed to improve transparency, governance, and service delivery in primary healthcare funding.
“The Federal Government will follow due process to ensure that monies earmarked for the BHCPF reach the most vulnerable Nigerians. Accountability and transparency remain central to the new framework,” Dr. Ogbe said.
He added that the BHCPF 2.0 initiative seeks to deepen financial governance and ensure that every naira allocated to the health sector positively impacts citizens, especially in rural and underserved communities.
