Research finds 1% Basic Health Fund can’t cover women, children

New research has concluded the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at its current level of financing will not assure universal health coverage for pregnant women and children. The Fund, built into the National Health Act, stipulates at least 1% of consolidated revenue be set aside to pay for a package of basic health. But researchers […]

New research has concluded the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at its current level of financing will not assure universal health coverage for pregnant women and children.

The Fund, built into the National Health Act, stipulates at least 1% of consolidated revenue be set aside to pay for a package of basic health.

But researchers at the Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) based in University of Nigeria examined the Fund’s feasibility using six scenarios providing basic minimum of care in test states of Imo, Kaduna and Niger, and concluded the Fund would need to be increased at least fourfold to make a difference.

“What we discovered is that in reality, the money is actually too small,” said Dr Felix Obi, a researcher with HPRG. “If we focus only on 1%, we might not be able to achieve universal health coverage.”

He said the finding underscores need to seek more funding sources.

“Even though we are going through recession, government would have to look for alternative ways. Reducing funding to health care will not be to our benefit,” said Obi.

“Various funding scenarios show the inadequacy of available funds to meet the needs of the target beneficiaries,” the researchers, led by Prof Obinna Onwujekwe, reported.

“The funds are not enough to cover all potential pregnant women in each sstate, assuming that the basic minimum benefit package covers only pregnant women, even using 100% of the Fund.”

“The only feasible option is funding of only child services utilizing at least 70% of the Fund.”