By Gloria Ikibah
Key health agencies under the House Committee on Healthcare Services have appealed for more funding in the 2025 budget, citing critical needs in addressing healthcare challenges across the country.
This was their position during the 2025 budget defense session on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Muyi Aina, presented a proposed budget of ₦48.1478 billion for 2025.
He highlighted that while the agency benefits from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and Vaccine Immunisation Funds, additional funding is key for optimal performance.
Dr. Aina also expressed hope for better budget releases in 2025, and noted that the 2024 disbursement was insufficient.
Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) requested ₦7.38 billion to combat the country’s ongoing eight disease outbreaks and enhance preparedness.
The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris, emphasised the efforts if the agency in capacity building, research, and collaboration with state governments to strengthen disease surveillance. He therefore called for a dedicated contingency fund to manage emergencies effectively.
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) proposed ₦113 billion for its 2025 operations. The Registrar, Dr. Fatima Kyari, revealed that the council received no allocation in 2024 due to its exclusion from the budgeting process, relying instead on funds from doctors’ registration fees and levies.
Dr. Kyari pledged to intensify advocacy to expand funding sources and alleviate pressure on federal medical institutions.
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is seeking ₦130 billion to increase health insurance coverage. The agency’s Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed that only 19.4 million Nigerians are currently covered under NHIA, with an additional 2.5 million under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
Dr. Ohiri outlined plans to engage the private sector, telecom companies, and digital technology to boost enrollment and expand coverage.
During the session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Institutions, Rep. Amos Magaji, emphasised the importance of a functional healthcare system in reducing corruption and alleviating financial burdens on Nigerians.
He commended the agencies for their presentations and assured them that the Committee would review their funding requests for possible increases.
Members of the Committee also scrutinized the agencies’ 2024 expenditures and deliberated on their proposed budgets and plans for 2025.