Lagos State government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery by enhancing the implementation and oversight of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).
This commitment was underscored during a high-level State Oversight Committee (SOC) meeting held at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic Conference Room, Alausa-Ikeja.
The meeting, chaired by the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, brought together key stakeholders, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, and senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Lagos Health Management Agency (LASHMA), and other health agencies.
A key highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Adetoro Tayo-Adetoro, Head of Planning, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation at LASHMA, who provided an update on the NHIA Gateway.
She revealed that since its inception, enrollment under the NHIA Gateway has expanded significantly, growing from 58 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in 2022 to 194 PHCs across Lagos State.
Financial disbursements have also increased, with notable improvements in funding between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025 to support service delivery.
Despite this expansion, utilization of healthcare services remains worryingly low. While enrollment in the health insurance scheme has grown, many beneficiaries are not actively using the services.
The current utilization rate stands between 0.68% and 3%, averaging just 1.67%, raising concerns among policymakers. To address this, the Lagos State Government has introduced new strategies, including direct enrollment through PHCs instead of relying solely on LASHMA.
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Additionally, PHCs that fail to report utilization data now face funding cuts, a measure implemented in May 2024 to enforce compliance.
Among the top conditions treated at PHCs, malaria remains the most frequently reported case, followed by hypertension, upper respiratory tract infections, and gastroenteritis.
However, the rising number of malaria cases prompted calls for a data review to ensure accurate reporting.
During discussions, Abayomi emphasised the need for a cost-benefit analysis of the scheme, noting that while low utilization might seem financially beneficial for providers, it ultimately weakens the health system.
Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, raised concerns about the quality of care at PHCs, questioning why some hypertension cases were being referred to secondary healthcare facilities rather than being managed at the primary level.
She called for clearer service packages under the BHCPF to prevent inconsistencies between different health insurance schemes.
Similarly, Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, questioned the sustainability of enrollment cycles, asking whether beneficiaries remained on the scheme annually or were replaced with new enrollees.
He also proposed a review of the capitation payment model, given the persistently low utilization rates.
A major challenge identified at the meeting was the knowledge gap among healthcare workers.
Many frontline health personnel struggle to differentiate between the BHCPF and the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme (Ilera-Eko), leading to confusion in implementation.
Other concerns included: poor infrastructure in some PHCs, shortage of healthcare personnel and underreporting of services rendered.
To tackle these issues, proposals were made to increase training for PHC staff, establish health insurance desks at each facility, and strengthen community engagement programs to raise awareness and encourage utilization.
A major outcome of the meeting was the inauguration of the expanded BHCPF State Oversight Committee by Abayomi.
This committee will now oversee multiple health programs under the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) framework.According to the Commissioner, Lagos State is already meeting key performance indicators under BHCPF and is positioned to receive more funding rewards.
The meeting also featured a presentation on the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) Gateway, focusing on financial management, quality improvement, and fund accountability to optimize service delivery.
Additionally, the session introduced the newly appointed Lagos State Health Fellows, who will work across various LGAs to support healthcare programs.
Addressing the fellows, Jumoke Oyenuga, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, commended their selection and emphasized their role in driving innovation and service delivery.
In his closing remarks, Abayomi urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure Lagosians fully benefit from the BHCPF initiative.
He reiterated that efficient healthcare financing and service delivery remain top priorities for the administration.
