The federal government, on Friday, said that it had expanded healthcare access to more than 2.4 million vulnerable Nigerians in the past year through the Vulnerable Groups Fund.

The minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pat, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Pate spoke during a ministerial oversight committee for the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF), a quarterly meeting of the ministry.

He said that the initiative was aimed at reducing maternal mortality and improving child health outcomes.

According to him, it highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable healthcare, particularly for the poor and vulnerable populations.

He said that the inclusion of these additional enrollees in the Vulnerable Groups Fund marked a significant step in ensuring equitable healthcare access for Nigerians.

“Over the last year, four million additional enrollees have been included in the Vulnerable Groups Fund, which means they can afford healthcare,” he said.

He said that the government had also allocated resources to support comprehensive emergency obstetric care, particularly to ensure healthcare affordability for the poor and vulnerable populations.

“Some states are doing well, like Anambra, while others are lagging behind. But it is a journey we are on together with the federal government, states, and other stakeholders,” he said.

In a move to address maternal health challenges, the minister said that government had prioritised the repair of obstetric fistulas, a condition that affects many women due to complications during childbirth.

He announced that the government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and several fistula repair centres in states like Ebonyi and Katsina.

“This administration is ensuring that women afflicted by obstetric fistula receive affordable care.

“Hundreds of women have already had their fistulas repaired at low cost, with more receiving the treatment they need.

“We are also empowering these women, many of whom come from vulnerable communities,” he said.

In addition to improving healthcare access, Mr Pate said that the federal government was training frontline health workers across the country to strengthen the healthcare system.

He expressed confidence that, over time, these efforts would significantly reduce maternal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for children across the country.

“The Ministry of Health is also working with the Ministry of Women Affairs to ensure that women recovering from fistula are empowered and supported.

“Through this collaboration, we are addressing the vulnerabilities that women with obstetric fistulas face, ensuring that they can reintegrate into society with dignity and support,” he said.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes in Nigeria, particularly for the vulnerable, as part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader health agenda.

“We are on the path to improving maternal health, reducing child mortality, and strengthening our healthcare systems.

“We will continue working with states and other partners to achieve these objectives,” he said.

Mr Pate said that this healthcare initiative demonstrated the government’s dedication to ensuring that no Nigerian was left behind in accessing essential medical care, particularly the poor and vulnerable populations.

(NAN)