Rasheeda Yahaya
By Ahmed Ahmed
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called on the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Mohammed Ali Pate, to strengthen transparency in the utilisation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and educate poor and vulnerable citizens on their rights to access healthcare services.
Speaking in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area, Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim, Director of the Andiwa Farmers Association, urged the minister to ensure improved governance of health financing and wider public enlightenment on how the billions of naira allocated to over 8,000 primary healthcare facilities are being used.
Dr. Yahaya expressed concern that most rural dwellers and peasant farmers are unaware of the health funds earmarked for their benefit, largely due to illiteracy and poor information flow.
He referenced a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by BudgIT Foundation, seeking details of the recent ₦32.9 billion third-round disbursement to PHCs nationwide.
He described the ministry’s silence several weeks after receiving the request as a breach of the FOI Act, noting that transparency is a legal and moral duty.
“The law that established the ministry also mandates it to account to Nigerians within seven days. Keeping silent will not help matters,” he said.
Dr. Yahaya commended BudgIT’s efforts in promoting accountability, adding that the civic tech organisation has played a vital role in monitoring public projects through its Tracka initiative.
He urged BudgIT to extend its scrutiny to donations from private and international organisations such as the Dangote Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Carter Foundation, to ensure such funds are properly utilised.
While acknowledging the minister’s initiative to set up an Oversight Committee in collaboration with the ICPC, he cautioned that monitoring should be left to neutral, independent bodies to build public confidence.
He also questioned the choice of Bauchi State for the launch of the tracking exercise, saying it could raise doubts about impartiality.
Dr. Yahaya appealed to the minister to equip hospitals with modern diagnostic machines and improve service delivery, citing his personal experience at the Federal Medical Centre, Azare.
He also called for discreet monitoring of healthcare personnel to address misconduct and inefficiency in public hospitals.
He urged Nigerians to overcome fear and demand accountability from health authorities, noting that effective oversight is key to achieving quality healthcare for all.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government recently introduced BHCPF 2.0 Guidelines, aimed at tightening oversight, improving transparency, and ensuring funds reach the most vulnerable citizens across the country.
