Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025

A Bill amends the legal framework governing Federal Medical Centres, improving their governance and service quality standards. It expands the specialist services mandate and strengthens financial management for all FMCs nationwide. This aims to enhance secondary and tertiary care access while improving NHIA integration.

Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

An amendment to update the legal framework governing Federal Medical Centres (FMCs), improving their governance, funding, service quality standards, and scope of specialist healthcare services across Nigeria. This bill amends the Federal Medical Centres Act, updating its provisions on governance, funding, and service standards.

Patients accessing healthcare at Federal Medical Centres nationwide Healthcare workers and management boards of FMCs Federal Ministry of Health Health insurance providers and NHIA (National Health Insurance Authority)

Who Does It Target?

Federal Medical Centres and their management boards and governing councils. Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals employed in FMCs. Patients seeking secondary and tertiary health care at federal medical centres. The Federal Ministry of Health as the supervising ministry.

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Strengthen FMC governance and financial management for improved service delivery Expand the specialist services mandate of FMCs to address secondary and tertiary care needs Improve NHIA integration to reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure at FMCs Introduce performance management frameworks for FMC management boards

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: Federal Government recurrent and capital budget; NHIA reimbursements; IGR retention

How to Access

Patients access FMC services directly as walk-in or by referral from primary health centres. Requirements: NHIA insurance card for subsidised treatment Doctor's referral for specialist services (recommended but not mandatory for emergencies) Valid government-issued ID Application method: Direct presentation at any Federal Medical Centre outpatient department

Important Terms

Emergency care must not be denied regardless of insurance status NHIA cardholders entitled to subsidised consultations, investigations, and admissions FMC management boards accountable to Federal Ministry of Health for annual performance reviews

Impact & Metrics

Over 2 million Nigerians access healthcare at federal medical centres annually; the amendment targets 30% improvement in patient satisfaction and service quality scores by 2027.

Official Resources

Website: www.fmoh.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — [email protected] | NHIA — [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

This bill amends the Federal Medical Centres Act, updating its provisions on governance, funding, and service standards.