Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering transparency, accountability, and the overall quality of healthcare service delivery in Nigeria. This was announced by Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, the Director-General of BPP, during a statement in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement came as Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of NHIA, paid a visit to Dr. Adedokun. During their meeting, Adedokun praised the recent reforms and initiatives introduced by the NHIA under Ohiri’s leadership, acknowledging the timely and impactful approach to improving healthcare services. He emphasized that despite operating in different sectors, BPP and NHIA share a common goal of fostering national growth through transparency and good governance.
Adedokun further urged NHIA to adhere to procurement directives issued by BPP and highlighted the significance of collective efforts in building a robust
healthcare system that ensures better access to medical services for Nigerians. He pointed out that deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery pose risks to citizens’ lives, contribute to youth mortality, and exacerbate economic challenges.
He assured NHIA of BPP’s support, especially in areas such as capacity building, public sensitization, and the enforcement of reforms designed to restore public confidence in the national health insurance scheme.
During the visit, Dr. Ohiri outlined NHIA’s commitment to aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s healthcare renewal agenda. He detailed several reforms undertaken by NHIA, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative and a significant upward review of provider tariffs and hospital capitation. He mentioned measures such as issuing circulars to health management organizations for better enrollee response, introducing a PR Code to guide enrollees on their benefit packages, and enforcing mandatory enrolment of MDAs in
the scheme.
Ohiri also sought BPP’s assistance in training procurement staff and building institutional knowledge to ensure compliance and effective implementation of health sector reforms. Both agencies reiterated their commitment to maintaining collaboration in the interest of enhancing transparency, accountability, and access to healthcare services across the nation.