Health Act To Release N50bn Annually

Posted on: Thu 17-12-2015

The National Health Act which is yet to be popular among Nigerians, and which is expected to encompass all health-related issues is to release about N50 billion annually.

This can save the lives of 3,131,510 mothers, newborns and under 5s by 2022 and thus support Nigeria’s response to poor indices. However, this depends on political will and Nigeria’s cumulative income.

‎This was revealed yesterday by a member of the Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Dr Seun Adeleke, at an interactive media session organised by Development Communications Network in COLLABORATION with HERFON with the theme “Funding Maternal and Child Health: A Call to Action.”

Adeleke disclosed that the Health Act which also takes care of incessant strikes in the health sector, if implemented, is expected to be divided into five categories for the benefit of all. These include insurance, vaccines and essential drugs, laboratory facilities, boosting of healthcare facilities, etc.

He said, “The Act will release about N50 billion annually depending on Nigeria’s cumulative income. This could save the lives of 3,131,510 mothers, newborns and under 5s by 2022 and thus support Nigeria’s response to poor indices.”

”50% of the consolidated revenue must go to NHIS. It should be used to expand insurance for the public sector. 20% of the money is for vaccines, essential drugs, and commodities. They are cheap and are simple drugs that will amplify messages.”

“15% is expected to go for laboratory facilities, infrastructure in hospitals, and sophisticated equipment which should go to the primary healthcare; simple equipment and not scanners that usually gulp so much money; 10% for boosting human resources at healthcare facilities to guide midwives and 5% for emergency medicine at tertiary facilities to be coordinated by the Ministry of Health.”

By: Kuni Tyessi

Leadership News

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