#DevReport- ep9: Call To Action on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) - a podcast by MAP MEDIA

 The National Health Act has been in existence for four years but its implementation has become a controversial issue in the health sector. It was the lacuna in the 1999 Constitution which failed to adequately provide for a legal framework for health care that birthed the idea for the enactment of the Act.

The National Health Bill was first proposed in 2004 during the time of Eyitayo Lambo as minister of health. It however took a decade of consideration before it was eventually passed and signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan on October 31, 2014.

The signing brings into effect the journey that lasted for about ten years. By this development, it is expected that the enforcers of the Act will commence seamless operation at all levels so as to enable Nigerians enjoy the provisions of the National Health Act.

The National Health Act performs the following functions:

a) Provides a platform for efficient coordination of the health system in Nigeria

b) Provides for minimum package of essential Health services

c) Makes provision for social inclusion and addresses the issue of equity in health

d) Protects families from catastrophic health expenditure

e) Accelerates Nigeria’s progress towards Universal Health Coverage

f) Cumulatively and consequently saves the lives of millions of mothers, new-born and under-fives and thus supporting Nigeria’s response to poor health care indices

g) Provides a better legal basis to address the restiveness of health professionals and other canker worms that have daunted our health system over the years.

The National Health Act has seven parts with each part addressing a major domain of the health system. The parts are:

I. Responsibility for health and eligibility for health services and establishment of National Health System

II. Health establishments and technologies’

III. Rights and obligations of users and health care personnel

IV. National Health Research and Information System

V. Human Resources for Health

VI. Control of use of blood, blood products, tissue and gametes in humans

VII. Regulations and miscellaneous provisions

---

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/tdnpodcast/message

Further episodes of TDN

Further podcasts by MAP MEDIA

Website of MAP MEDIA