The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) have agreed to deepen collaboration aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and improved healthcare services for Nigerians.
This was disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Abuja by the Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, following a courtesy visit by the NHIA Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri.
Adedokun commended the reforms introduced under Ohiri’s leadership, describing his pragmatic approach to healthcare delivery as both timely and impactful. He noted that although BPP and NHIA operate in different sectors, both agencies share a common goal of driving national growth through transparency and good governance.
He stressed the need for NHIA to comply with procurement directives issued by BPP, adding that collective effort was crucial in building a strong healthcare system that guarantees better medical access for citizens.
“Weaknesses in healthcare infrastructure and service delivery can endanger lives, increase youth mortality, and worsen economic challenges,” Adedokun warned, while pledging BPP’s support in capacity building, public sensitisation, and enforcement of reforms to strengthen public trust in the health insurance scheme.
In his remarks, Ohiri explained that his visit was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for healthcare renewal, with a focus on fostering institutional partnerships. He outlined key reforms recently undertaken by NHIA, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, a 95 per cent upward review of provider tariffs and hospital capitation, as well as the issuance of circulars to health management organisations to improve responses to enrollees.
He also highlighted the introduction of a PR Code to guide enrollees on their benefit packages and the enforcement of mandatory enrolment of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the scheme.
Ohiri solicited BPP’s support in training procurement staff and building institutional knowledge to ensure compliance and smooth implementation of reforms in the health sector.
Both agencies pledged to sustain their partnership in the interest of transparency, accountability, and improved healthcare delivery nationwide.