By Muhammad Amaan
Stakeholders at the Safe Passage Summit have called for the integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services for migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) into Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to improve equitable access to essential healthcare.
The recommendation was contained in the communiqué issued at the end of the summit, themed “Advancing Equitable SRHR Services for Migrants, Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and People on the Move.”
According to the communiqué, integrating SRHR services into the BHCPF and the country’s primary healthcare system would strengthen access to quality healthcare while promoting sustainability.
Stakeholders also urged the Federal, State, and Local Governments to provide dedicated funding for healthcare services in displaced settings.
The communiqué identified inadequate funding, shortages of family planning commodities, weak coordination, gender-based violence, mental health challenges, and the burden of HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis as key barriers limiting access to healthcare for people on the move.
Participants further emphasized the need for stronger government commitment, improved accountability, and collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and affected communities to ensure migrants and displaced populations are not left behind in Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage.
The summit concluded with a call for sustained investment and inclusive health policies to guarantee equitable access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for vulnerable populations across the country.
