OVERVIEW
NHAct 2014
National commitment to UHC was symbolised by the passage of the National Health Act (NHAct) of 2014, which in Section 11, mandates the establishment of a Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to support the effective delivery of primary and secondary health care services through the provision of a Basic Minimum Package of Healthcare Services (BMPHS) and Emergency Medical Treatment (EMT). The NHAct 2014 was enacted to ensure improved health outcomes, by providing a legal framework for the provision of health care services and establish an organisational and management structure for the health system in Nigeria.
To achieve these important objectives, the NHAct specifies that all Nigerians
shall be entitled to a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS). The BMPHS is a set of preventives, protective, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative health services to be developed and reviewed from time to time by the Honourable Minister of Health (HMH), in consultation with the National Council on Health (NCH).
Funding the BHCPF shall be derived, as stipulated in the NHAct, from (a) an annual grant from the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGoN) of not less than one percent (1%) of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF); (b) grants by international donor partners; (c) funds from any other sources, inclusive of the private sector.
What We Do
Basic Minimum Package of Health Services
The Fund specifically stipulates the provision of a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) which is to be provided by eligible primary and secondary health facilities, enrolled under the NHIA Gateway. The additional fiscal space created by the BHCPF will, however, be insufficient to finance a comprehensive health care package for all Nigerians but, if utilised efficiently, can serve as a catalyst for creative disruption of existing trends in poor health outcomes. The BMPHS is a defined and actuarially costed baseline entitlement, this guideline outlines the components that will be provided under the BHCPF.
Eligibility and Scope of Coverage
The Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) as defined by NHIA, NPHCDA and partners, and approved by the Honourable Minister of Health consists of a package of preventive, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services as detailed in section 4.14 of this guideline. The premium rate for the benefit package has been actuarially determined to cost ₦12,000.00 (twelve thousand naira).
Service Provision
Health care services shall be provided by primary health care (PHC) facilities registered by the SPHCDAs and SPHCBs, and by secondary facilities registered by SMoHs and accredited by SHIAs and SHISs in collaboration with NHIA. Public and private primary health care facilities shall be used as service delivery points. Secondary health care services shall be provided by public and private health care providers following referral from the PHCs.
Quality Assurance
The State Health Insurance Agency or Scheme shall monitor service quality using tools developed by the NHIA. The NHIA shall conduct validation exercises to reinforce the quality reporting from state health insurance organs.
Monitoring and Evaluation
There shall be routine monitoring and periodic evaluation of activities related to the Fund by the respective gateways and their state counterparts. Implementation reports (programmatic and financial) are to include successes, challenges, and limitations for all planned activities in the initial proposals. The Honourable Minister may, at discretion, periodically constitute a team to monitor the implementation of the Fund. Participating PHC and secondary health facilities shall submit routine NHMIS (National Health Management Information System) reports to the SPHCDA or SPHCB and SMoH, and monthly service utilisation (encounter), financial, morbidity and mortality reports to the state health insurance agency or scheme. The state health insurance agency or scheme shall submit a quarterly summary report, endorsed by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, to the NHIA. The NHIA shall submit quarterly summary utilisation, financial and mortality reports to the Honourable Minister of Health. The NHIA and SHIAs or SHISs shall deploy appropriate ICT (Information and Communications Technology) platforms to ensure effective and efficient implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The NHIA shall conduct quarterly monitoring and evaluation exercises with state health insurance agencies or schemes.