The Nigerian Medical Association on Friday faulted the ₦221.7bn allocated to the health sector in the 2016 Appropriation Bill, saying it portends disaster.
The organisation called for an urgent review of the allocation in the interest of justice and urged the National Assembly to halt this looming disaster in the healthcare delivery sector in 2016 immediately.
The NMA’s comments on the allocation was contained in a statement by its President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, and Secretary-General, Dr. Adewunmi Alayaki.
The association described the allocation as a sharp departure from the prescribed 15 per cent of the national budget for health made in 2001 during a meeting of African Heads of States and Government which Nigeria hosted in Abuja.
It said although it was not ignorant of the current realities of dwindling oil revenue and contracting fiscal space, it was of the view that the markedly diminished allocation of 3.65 per cent in the 2016 budget proposal would not help the sector.
For instance, it said the allocation would never encourage universal health coverage; improved access, quality and efficiency of the health services to reduce the disparaging health indices that continue to malign the image of Nigeria in the comity of nations.
“We are also in shock as the N60bn (equivalent of at least one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund) envisaged to accrue as the Basic Health Provision fund as enshrined in the National Health Act 2014 was conspicuously absent from the budget proposal as presented,” the association said.
“Coming at this auspicious occasion of budgeting under the reassuring change mantra, it is our considered opinion that Nigeria should show the way and provide leadership in Africa after having failed in this regard since 2001.
“Facts from available evidence show that whereas 33 per cent of countries have allocated at least 10 per cent of their national budget to health with only Tanzania, Rwanda, Swaziland, Ethiopia, Malawi and Central African Republic attaining 15 per cent. Nigeria has been revolving between 3 per cent and 6 per cent.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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