The new National Health Act in Nigeria aims to substantially increase revenue and improve Primary Health Care (PHC) services through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
In order for this additional revenue to reach PHC services efficiently, it is necessary that strategies are in place to ensure accountability between the different stakeholders responsible for implementing the BHCPF at national, state, local and facility levels.
Researchers from the Health Policy Research Group at the University of Nigeria have developed an accountability framework for implementing the BHCPF, which encompasses mechanisms for strategic planning, strong and transparent monitoring and supervision systems and systematic reporting. The framework shows which actors are responsible for each mechanism, and the levels of government that they relate to.
There are further challenges to accountability that need to be addressed if the BHCPF is to be implemented successfully. These include: delayed transfer of funds, poor data management, corruption and the preparedness of Local Government Health Authorities to manage the Fund.
