Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s health sector have demanded transparent and accountable utilisation of the N500 billion stimulus funds donated by the International Monetary Fund, (IMF), to Nigeria, to help combat Covid-19 related issues.
The African Health Budget Network, (AHBN), coordinated by Aminu Magashi, has said every of the Federal Government’s Covid-19 fund and recovery plan touches the lives of all Nigerians, and as such, the public should be adequately informed on how each kobo is utilised.
Speaking during a two-day annual conference of the Association of Health Journalists (ANHEJ), in Nasarawa State, Magashi, who was represented by the Senior Programme and Partnership Officer, Obinna Onuoha, said about N126 billion was given out to the health sectors to help build resilient health systems and also to settle other underlying health conditions faced by the sector so far. The remaining N374 billion will be shared out to non-health sectors, he said.
In the health sector, 86 billion was given out for capital projects on the revitalisation of the health sector, while the remaining 40 billion was allocated for other critical issues or challenges faced. Out of this, the following organisations were listed to gain a share of the stimulus. The Nigerian Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), and other related departments received N10 bn, while the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (NIPRD), received N2bn for its research and development.
Also, N18 billion was allocated to 21 University teaching hospitals and 31 Federal Medical Centres and Specialist Hospitals and N7.7 bn for the provision of personal protective materials for workers in the laboratories. Furthermore, N18.4 bn was given out to all the 36 states including the FCT, for the equipping of 10 intensive care units, N5.2 bn was also allocated for the equipping of the isolation centres in each state and N20bn hazard allowance was allocated for workers.
It was however gathered that only about 50% of the funds have been released and shared among the various organisations and sectors.
Magashi urged those who have received the fund to commence work immediately, as work delayed after funding will be seen as sabotage by the public. The WHO Nigeria Communication Officer, Charity Warigon, also noted that there is much to attain in driving confidence in the vaccination effort by building trust.
