The Federal Government has approved health insurance coverage for about 90,000 inmates in correctional facilities nationwide as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare for vulnerable Nigerians.
The initiative, approved at the 16th meeting of the Ministerial Oversight Committee on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in Abuja on Wednesday, will be implemented through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Inmates already covered by state health insurance schemes will be excluded, while implementation will be subject to regular reporting and safeguards.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed the decision alongside the approval of ₦40.76bn for the third quarter of 2026 under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
The allocation of ₦40,758,116,943.50 represents an increase of about ₦7.88bn from the ₦32.88bn approved in the previous quarter.
Under the latest allocation, the NHIA will receive ₦19.87bn, representing 48.75 per cent of the fund, while the National Primary Health Care Development Agency will get ₦18.34bn, or 45 per cent.
Emergency Medical Treatment will receive ₦2.04bn, representing five per cent, while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will get ₦509.48m, or 1.25 per cent.
Pate said the increased funding must translate into timely disbursement, transparent financial management and better health outcomes.
The committee also approved plans to extend support under the fund from 8,309 to 13,521 primary healthcare facilities nationwide, an addition of 5,212 facilities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
To improve access to essential medicines, the committee approved the implementation of pooled procurement through MEDIPOOL, Nigeria’s national group purchasing organisation.
The arrangement is expected to strengthen price monitoring, quality assurance and the reliable supply of medical commodities.
The committee also considered a phased financing model to help states recruit and progressively absorb skilled birth attendants and community-based health workers.
On delays in releasing funds to healthcare facilities, the committee resolved to establish a subcommittee to investigate bottlenecks across the funding chain, including the gateways, states and local government areas.
The subcommittee is expected to submit its report within six weeks.
Pate said the Federal Government was also working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to track health sector funds and prevent their misuse.
“Government will not condone any act that is capable of depriving ordinary Nigerians of the health goods these funds are meant for,” he said.
The minister commended the Katsina State Governor for releasing ₦243m to the state health insurance agency to expand coverage under the fund, urging other states and the FCT to meet their counterpart funding obligations under the National Health Act, 2014.
The committee further directed that letters be sent to state governors outlining the financial requirements for the NCDC to respond adequately to disease outbreaks.
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