By Praise Chinecherem
Coalition of Civil Society Networks on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (ATM Network) has decried inadequate utilization of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in addressing emerging needs of hospitals in the state.
The group regretted that the current allocation of the BHCPF scarcely addressed specific challenges of vulnerable groups, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria patients.
Speaking during advocacy engagement with the State Focal Person of the BHCPF, State Program Officer (SPO) Onyekachi Ololo identified challenges faced by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria patients to include harsh economic conditions and the need to ensure availability and affordability of essential drugs.
He cited high cost of essential drugs which according to him, remained prohibitively high for many patients, exacerbating health inequities.
He said, “Regardless of the free ANC and delivery program of the State Government for Pregnant women, in selected PHCs, there are those who visit the non participating facilities and particularly struggle to afford malaria drugs, further compromising maternal and child health.
“Other HIV/AIDs and Tuberculosis mothers are not left behind. There’s need for Economic Policy and Development plan Review by the Local, State and Federal government to address the realtime healthcare delivery challenges, including, disease preparedness, transportation and drug affordability.
“We’re also proposing refocusing of BHCPF allocation for a portion of the BHCPF to be dedicated to addressing the specific needs of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria patients, as well as maternal and child health while ensuring subsidizing of essential drugs and other prevalent conditions to improve affordability.”
The group further called for strengthening of facility-level capacity to provide additional support to healthcare facilities to address emerging issues effectively.
Describing advocacy engagement with the BHCPF State Focal Person as a critical step toward ensuring that the fund was effectively utilized to address healthcare needs of vulnerable populations, Ololo emphasized the urgency of implementing the proposed solutions to improve healthcare delivery and reduce barriers to access.
“Other positions held by the SAT members included prioritization of vulnerable populations, ensuring that the BHCPF is targeted toward the most vulnerable groups to reduce health inequities.
“More collaboration with stakeholders at all levels, including engaging them towards developing sustainable solutions for drug affordability and accessibility.
“Monitoring and Accountability including strengthening mechanisms to monitor the utilization of BHCPF funds to ensure they address the intended needs,” he added.
The group listed next steps to take to include follow up with the BHCPF team on the implementation of the proposed strategies; organizing further advocacy engagements with policymakers and stakeholders to sustain momentum and conducting community-level sensitization to raise awareness about the availability and benefits of the BHCPF.
Responding, State Focal Person of the BHCPF, Mrs Chiamaka Anigbogu said the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency’s support for subsidized drugs and discussions had already been initiated with relevant stakeholders to explore opportunities for subsidizing essential drugs.
She said, “The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency under the present Solution Government led by Pharm. Chisom Uchem is open to refocusing the BHCPF to ensure it addresses the specific needs of vulnerable populations and emerging healthcare challenges.
“The government has built strong collaboration and monitoring mechanism on the BHCPF program and will not fail to extend such collaboration with the SAT and other stakeholders to ensure effective utilization of funds and address emerging issues.”
