The Jigawa State government has been called upon to redesign its budgetary system by giving emphasis to primary healthcare delivery services rather than secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
The call was made by the Jigawa State Maternal Accountability Forum (JiMAF), a non-governmental organization, in a presentation by Comrade Isah Mustapha at a day Engagement forum between the governor’s aide on health matters, civil society organizations, and media. The event was organized by JiMAF and sponsored by the “Lafiya Project,” a UK-funded program at Dutse Royal Hotel.
Comrade Isah Mustapha also appealed to the state government to ensure adequate and timely releases of funds budgeted for healthcare services for effective and speedy healthcare delivery.
The resource person expressed concern about the state’s budgetary and fund allocation system, where the government emphasises secondary and tertiary healthcare services more than primary healthcare services.
According to him, “75 per cent of deaths in the state are caused by primary healthcare-related cases, with only 25 per cent occurring as a result of secondary and tertiary healthcare-related cases.”
“But emerging fund allocation and releases from the budget are vice versa. Seventy-five per cent of money spent in the health sector is on secondary and tertiary healthcare services, while 25 per cent is on primary healthcare services.”
Mustapha maintained that inadequate or non-releases of funds for healthcare services, particularly in primary healthcare services, are major contributing factors to poor healthcare delivery and maternal mortality.
Comrade Isa Mustapha noted that from 2015 to 2022, the sum of ₦163 billion was budgeted for the state health sector, and ₦112 billion was spent.
“The sum of N65 billion was spent on salary and allowances, while ₦46 billion was on capital projects, with the secondary and tertiary sector taking the lion’s share.
“While for the year 2023, as we enter the last quarter of the year, the budget performance for the health sector is less than 41%, which is a source of concern.”
“With these indices and other related issues, there is a need for the government to redesign its health policy and spending. A more concerted and robust approach shall be given to the primary healthcare sector to tackle the challenges and make basic healthcare services more accessible and affordable for all.”
The group engaged the newly appointed Special Advisers and Assistants on Health to Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi to advocate for the need for the state government to improve budget releases to the state health sector.
The Civil Society has equally advocated for a paradigm shift in healthcare spending, requesting more budget allocation to the primary healthcare sector than the secondary and tertiary.
In his comment during the interactive session, the Special Adviser to the governor in charge of Ringing Emirate, Alhaji Isiyaku Sabo, said, “We are newly appointed, but we are not new to the challenges militating against our health sector.”
“We promise to convey this report to His Excellency Governor Malam Umar Namadi for action. We will continue to partner with JiMAF, Lafiya Project, and other civil societies in finding out the best way to improve our public healthcare services delivery for a better society,” he declared.
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