Mamaye Evidence for Action, an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to make the budget processes in the health sector more transparent and open to participation by civil society organisations and communities.
Prof. Oladapo Ladipo, a member of the organisation’s technical working group, made the appeal at a media roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said government must adopt a policy on the timely publication of vital information about the budget processes in the health sector.
Oladipo said adequate provisions and timely releases of capital budget in the health sector would enhance performance.
“We call on the Federal Government to make more funds available to the health sector and be committed to improving quality access to healthcare in Nigeria.
“Government should ensure that the national healthcare act is adequately funded as well as involving Civil Society Organisations and communities in the budget implementation process.
“The need to increase participation of all stakeholders is to have a realistic budget that can be operated to ensure quality healthcare services.
“The release of public information on budgets, by publishing timely on websites and newspapers and by enlightening the public through all the communication channels available in the country.’’
Oladipo also called on the media to enlighten Nigerians as the health literacy in Nigeria was very low, noting that the populace is not well informed.
He said about 70 per cent of Nigerians listen to radio and such information could be made available through such means.
He said the present government should prioritise the health sector, saying that health is wealth and a healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
Oladipo said there was need for adequate provision for maternal healthcare as it was every woman’s right to reproducing for the next generation.
He added that the government should invest more on human resources and infrastructure in order to ensure medical personnel work in an optimal and best working environment.
On her part, Mrs Esther Agbon, Health Finance and Advocacy Advisor of the NGO, said the 2015 federal health budget scorecard was average.
She said publicising the scorecard was vital as such would enlighten the public on budget processes and governance as well as a platform for evaluation in future budgeting.
Agbon said information was derived from the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
She said that the score card was categorised into four parts comprising transparency, participation, adequate resources allocation and budget release.
She said the annual publication of national accounts was put into consideration, adherence to budget calendar and timely publication of enacted budget office website, among others.
On participation, she however said the extent to which the federal ministry of health held public consultation with CSOs and communities during annual budget planning was not encouraging.
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