The Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has called on the Senate Committee on Health to intensify oversight on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), particularly the five per cent allocation earmarked for emergency medical treatment under the National Health Act 2014.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday according to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Nwoko stressed the need for the committee on health, alongside that on legislative compliance, to summon the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and the Director-General of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
The lawmakers, he said, must be briefed on the current status of the BHCPF, with specific attention to the utilisation of funds dedicated to emergency medical treatment.
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The senator noted that despite a clear statutory framework, there was no evidence that the five per cent allocation for emergency care had been activated or made accessible to Nigerians in urgent need, leaving countless citizens vulnerable to preventable deaths.
“This is in total disregard of Section A150 (2)(c) of the National Health Act, which mandates the provision of emergency medical treatment without demand for initial payment,” Mr Nwoko said.
He cited instances where lives were lost because hospitals demanded deposits before commencing treatment, including the death of former Senator Ibrahim Kontagora and the case of Mrs Akinbobola Folajimi, a pregnant woman denied emergency care over inability to pay upfront fees.
According to the senator, the inaction undermines public confidence in the health sector, violates the spirit of the law, and negates Nigeria’s constitutional obligation to protect the right to life.
Senator Nwoko urged the federal government to establish a dedicated Emergency Medical Response System tied to the fund, complete with a toll-free emergency number, ambulance services, and designated hospitals with a mandate to provide first-response treatment without delay.
He emphasised that the Senate committee must enforce strict oversight to ensure that the BHCPF is fully implemented, in line with its mandate to raise healthcare standards, improve accessibility, and guarantee equitable service delivery across the country.
