From John Bassey, Gusau
The Zamfara State Ministry of Health has vowed to work with stakeholders to optimise the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and enhance primary healthcare services across the state.
Health Commissioner Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun announced this during the first-quarter 2025 State Oversight Committee (SOC) meeting in Gusau.
Dr Maradun said the meeting aimed to strengthen the “2-Gateways” approach, ensuring efficient BHCPF fund use by 255 accredited Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).
“The State Oversight Committee (SOC) is mandated to ensure the effective and efficient utilisation of BHCPF funds by primary healthcare facilities and to guarantee quality service delivery to beneficiaries through the NPHCDA 2-Gateways,” she stated.
The meeting addressed BHCPF implementation challenges, including securing 25% counterpart funding from state and local governments, and discussed strategies for BHCPF Phase II. Attendees included officials from the Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), ZAMCHEMA, and development partners like UNICEF.
Maradun urged stakeholders to support Governor Dauda Lawal’s health sector reforms, praising her team’s efforts in advancing maternal and child health. She expressed confidence in achieving a stronger healthcare system through collective action.