Bukola Afeni
The Coordinator of Africa Health Budget Network, Dr. Aminu Magashi, has called on the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to ensure full implementation of family planning services under the mandatory National Health Insurance scheme.
This is in line with the Presidential Executive Order on unlocking the health value chain.
He made the disclosure while speaking with ANHEJ members , ahead of the Joint Annual Review meeting in Abuja.
Dr. Magashi urged the Federal Government to release the full 2025 approved budget for family planning. “We want a release of the $4 million government counterpart funding meant to support the national family planning programme, as well as the 10% allocation from the ₦60 billion Medical Relief Fund, as captured under the presidential initiative,” he said.
He further appealed to the NHIA to speed up implementation of the mandatory health insurance directive and ensure that family planning services are included in the benefit package for Nigerians. In the same vein, he demanded the full release of the 2025 adolescent health and well-being budgets at both national and subnational levels.
“Timely funding would expand access to care, particularly for women and young people across the country,” he said. “Adequate funding will enable women in all parts of Nigeria to access essential services, reduce maternal mortality, and curb preventable diseases.”
Dr. Maigashi also commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the recent release of ₦32.9 billion in Direct Facility Financing under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). He called for enhanced transparency, accountability, and stronger monitoring to ensure improved health outcomes.
The Coordinator of AHBN called on the government to fulfil Nigeria’s counterpart funding obligations for immunisation in line with Gavi and UNICEF commitments. “Recall that ₦137 billion was allocated for immunisation funding in 2024, of which only 25% was released,” he said, emphasizing the need for full release of the ₦231 billion budgeted for 2025.
