The ONE Campaign and Connected Development Initial Response to the 2017 Health Budget

 

Yesterday, the Government of Nigeria has presented the federal budget for 2017. While there has been some progress on health with increased investment, to combat the current health crisis facing the nation, ONE  and CODE urge the Government to invest more in this key area for the good of the country and  its citizens.

 

Edwin Ikhuoria The ONE Campaign Country Representative said: “The increase in health allocations announced in today’s budget is progress and should be welcomed. Putting more money into Nigeria’s health will not only boost the economy but will change people’s lives, particularly the poor, who are living in dire circumstances especially during this recession.

 

“ONE applauds the budget increase in capital health projects as a  step in the right direction – by emphasizing on primary health care and fighting malnultrition, the President and the Government have taken action to help all citizens particularly those in the North East most affected by poverty. We urge that this momentum does not stop and we continue to progress, by creating the Basic Health Care Provision Fund with a minimum of 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund into health and fulfilling the promises made in the National Health Act.

 

“Only by delivering on this commitment and building a pathway towards spending 15% on health as promised in the 2001 African Union  Abuja Declaration, will the Government  be poised to end the health crisis needed to  successful in helpg “Make Naija Stronger.”

 

Hamzat Lawal, The Chief Executive of Connected Development [CODE] and co-founder of Follow The Money said: “The 2017 budget presentation brings hope for citizens – mostly people in rural communities. Public health care investsments remains a key ingredient of development, poverty reduction strategies and human capital development. We also pledge to support the government by working with the community to ensure that this money is actually spent well and transparently.

 

“To ensure better health outcomes in communities, we also urge the government to open up the budgets so that citizens can follow the money allocated to improve their welfare and as part of contributing to  goodgovernance”.