The Society for Family Health (SFH) has commended the National Assembly (NASS) for approving two major legislative reforms aimed at strengthening domestic healthcare financing and improving health outcomes in Nigeria.
SFH described the measures as a significant step toward building a more resilient and self-sustaining health system amid declining global donor support for healthcare programmes.
The reforms include increasing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from one per cent to two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
They also include amendments to the Customs and Excise Tariff Act aimed at strengthening taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages and promoting healthier consumption patterns nationwide.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of SFH, Dr Omokhudu Idogho, stated the organisation’s position in a statement issued on Monday.
According to Idogho, the reforms have the potential to transform healthcare delivery and financing across the country if effectively implemented by relevant authorities.
He said the legislative actions demonstrated strategic leadership at a time when many developing countries were facing uncertainty over external health funding.
Idogho said that international donors and development partners were increasingly scaling back investments in low- and middle-income countries due to changing global priorities.
“Nigeria has taken an important step towards securing the future of its healthcare system. These reforms demonstrate leadership, foresight, and a commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of Nigerians,” he said.
He explained that increasing the BHCPF allocation to two per cent would significantly strengthen primary healthcare services and expand access to essential health interventions.
According to him, the additional funding would support access to medicines, maternal and child healthcare services, immunisation programmes and disease prevention initiatives nationwide.
Idogho said the increased allocation could also reduce the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare spending, which remained a major barrier to quality healthcare access.
He added that the reform would provide resources to strengthen health security, improve infrastructure and support vulnerable populations requiring affordable healthcare services.
According to him, the reforms reflect a broader shift toward domestic resource mobilisation as Nigeria seeks to sustain gains achieved through donor-supported health programmes.
“For decades, Nigeria’s health sector has benefited from substantial donor support for maternal and child health, immunisation, HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and health systems strengthening.
“While these partnerships remain important, sustainable healthcare financing must increasingly be driven by domestic resources,” Idogho said.
He also welcomed the amendment strengthening taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, describing it as a progressive public health measure aligned with global best practices.
Idogho linked excessive consumption of sugary drinks to the growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
He said the policy would discourage unhealthy consumption habits while generating additional revenue to support investments in the health sector.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria continues to witness rising cases of non-communicable diseases, placing additional pressure on healthcare facilities nationwide.
According to Idogho, the taxation framework demonstrates a deliberate effort by policymakers to address healthcare financing and disease prevention simultaneously.
While commending lawmakers, he cautioned that the success of the reforms would depend largely on transparent implementation and prudent resource management.
He emphasised that increased funding alone would not automatically translate into better healthcare outcomes without efficient deployment of resources and stronger accountability systems.
“Every additional naira invested in health must translate into better-equipped healthcare facilities, improved service delivery, expanded access to care and measurable improvements in health outcomes,” he said.
Idogho urged agencies responsible for implementing the reforms to ensure accountability in the disbursement and utilisation of healthcare resources.
He also called on lawmakers to sustain the momentum by supporting Nigeria’s attainment of the Abuja Declaration target on health sector funding.
According to him, increased domestic investment in healthcare has become a necessity if Nigeria is to achieve Universal Health Coverage and sustain healthcare gains.
