Health Bill: AdvoKC Urges Abbas To End Delay, Double Funding For Primary Healthcare
AdvoKC Foundation Calls on House Speaker to Expedite National Health Act Amendment Bill
The AdvoKC Foundation has urged Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to prioritize the passage of the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill. The foundation warns that delays in the legislative process could hinder increased funding for primary healthcare in the upcoming 2027 Appropriation Bill.
The proposed amendment aims to at least double the share allocated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The bill has been awaiting approval from the House of Representatives since the Senate passed its version on April 23, 2026.
In a statement issued by Communications Manager Luqman Adamu, the foundation called on House leadership to schedule the bill for consideration and complete the legislative process before the next recess. The bill still requires the House’s concurrence, potential harmonization, and presidential assent before it can become law.
AdvoKC expressed concern regarding the limited legislative window ahead of the 2027 general elections and emphasized that the timely passage and approval of the bill could significantly affect next year’s budget.
The House of Representatives resumed plenary on September 29 after an extended recess but adjourned until October 13, raising questions about the time available to finalize the legislation.
Established under Section 11 of the National Health Act of 2014, the BHCPF is designed to support essential healthcare services, particularly at the primary level. Currently, 50 percent of the fund is allocated through the National Health Insurance Authority for a basic minimum package of health services, while 45 percent is allocated for essential drugs, vaccines, equipment, and facilities managed by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The remaining 5 percent is designated for emergency medical treatment.
According to a response from the Federal Ministry of Health to a Freedom of Information request, the government disbursed N32.88 billion from the fund in the first half of 2025, with N16.44 billion released in each of the first two quarters. This report also identified that approximately one in seven of the 1,164 facilities benefitting from the fund were only partly functional.
AdvoKC noted that concerns regarding the implementation of the fund have previously been raised within the House of Representatives, evidenced by a motion listed on the Order Paper on October 18, 2023.
While acknowledging that merely doubling the fund’s statutory allocation will not resolve Nigeria’s healthcare challenges, the foundation maintained that increased funding would provide a more robust financial basis for the country’s primary healthcare system. However, it emphasized that these benefits are contingent upon timely appropriations, effective implementation, and accountability.
Moreover, AdvoKC highlighted the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare costs for many Nigerians, as primary healthcare centers often serve as the sole source of medical services in numerous communities.
The foundation has called on Speaker Abbas and House leadership to prioritize the bill on the Order Paper, instruct the House Committee on Healthcare Services to expedite its review, and establish a public timeline for the bill’s concurrence and harmonization with the Senate. It also urged the House not to undergo another recess before addressing the proposed amendment.
“The Senate has completed its part,” said Habib Sheidu, the foundation’s Project Director. “Now, the question is whether the House will treat primary healthcare as urgent or delay its action until the next resumption. Nigerians, particularly in communities reliant on local health centers, cannot bear further postponement. We urge the Speaker to schedule the bill and provide clarity on the timeline for its passage.”
The AdvoKC Foundation remains committed to advocating for this bill throughout its legislative journey and seeks to ensure its eventual implementation.
