By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has been urged to show more commitment to transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and other healthcare donations from donor agencies .
The call was made in a statement distributed to reporters by the Publicity Secretary of Watchdog on Leadership Development Initiative Mukhtar Idris in Bauchi
According to the statement, the call for transparency and accountability in healthcare donations to Nigeria as recently seen in the media highlights a pressing concern in regards to calls for transparency and accountability by BudgIT Foundation, and one Dr. Yahaya Ibrahim.
“It is reasonable to expect that foreign aid donors, who are known for high standards of transparency and accountability in their countries, would insist on similar standards in Nigeria. These donors are subject to rigorous oversight, transparency, and accountability, hence any hint of mismanagement or lack of transparency would likely spark public outcry, rage, and potentially the withdrawal of donations”.
“It will portray double standards, if donors are held accountable in their home countries for the use of funds, and the same is not applicable when donating to countries like Nigeria.”
“Transparency in funds management should be given serious priority. It is essential to have clear and regular reporting on the use of funds.There should be a robust accountability mechanisms to prevent corruption, mismanagement and embezzlement.By upholding similar standards of transparency and accountability in Nigeria, donors can ensure that their support has a meaningful impact and benefits those in need”.
“The Basic health care fund was established under the 2014 National Health Act and is financed through a 1 percent contribution from Nigeria’s consolidated annual revenue, alongside donations from development partners with the aim of providing a basic minimum package of health services to all Nigerians, geared at strengthening emergency medical services in rural areas” The statement read
He alleged that the Federal Ministry of health is not doing enough in the area of accountability as majority of the people in the rural areas are not aware the Health programme.
“The ministry needs to come with a robust approach that will go to all nooks and crannies of the rural area for basic healthcare service delivery , i am calling for the need for accountability and transparency in the utilisation of the funds so that rural dwellers can benefit as intended in the law that establish the programme” he said.
Idris said the Coordinating Minister of Health Professor Mohammed Ali Pate should ensure that the four gateways for the programme are meeting the health needs of the common man as expected in the law that establish the use of basic health care funds, adding that the gateways include National Health Insurance Authority, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
He said, “Accountability and transparency are the cornerstone and foundation of BHCPF in order to ensure that funds that are disbursed are utilised properly.The ministry most initiate activities, that is not only paper work but physical activities that will justify the utilization if funds, thereby showing accountability and transparency at all levels of the government.
“The BHCPF is expected to address critical health issues such as maternal and childhood mortality, and ensure the proper disbursement of funds to local governments.It is also expected that BHCPF should give priority to maternal deaths childhood mortality as well as the basic health needs of the people in the rural areas, but unfortunately most rural dwellers are not aware of this health intervention”
“”We learnt that N32.9 billion was released to 8,000 health facilities.The ministry most come with accelerated initiatives that will help in the transformation of Nigeria’s health sector and ensure that all Nigerians have access to quality healthcare services regardless of their location or economic status.”
“The honourable coordinating minister of health should ensure that the BHCPF is utilised efficiently in order to ensure that stakeholders in health sector focus on one goal, work together in one direction as combined efforts are greater than an individual effort,
“The minister should also involve private partners,experts and professionals that will help to sensitize rural dwellers on the benefits of basic health care programme.By doing so, the experts will help in tracking the amount release for each center and will monitor to ensure that real persons benefit from the programme’. The statement concluded
