IHSAN Laments Non-implementation Of 15% Health Budget Increase

The Institute of Health Service Administrators of Nigeria (IHSAN) has lamented the federal and state governments’ non-implementation of the Abuja declaration to increase the health budget by at least 15 per cent.

The IHSAN National President, Eze Okezie Chijioke, stated this: If the budgetary allocations to their respective health sectors are increased, national and subnational governments in Nigeria will be able to serve the health needs of the citizens effectively and efficiently.

Chijioke, who spoke in Ido Ekiti, headquarters of Ido-Osi local government area of Ekiti state, during the 40th National Professional Development Workshop (Ist Run) Extra-ordinary Council Meeting and Induction Programme of IHSAN, added that such an increase will also boost hospital infrastructures and equipment and stem the migration of the country’s health and medical workers.

The event, ‘Developing sustainable best practices in hospital administration,’ hosted by Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI), saw IHSAN induct new members and confer honorary fellowship awards on FETHI Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof Adekunle Ajayi and the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Health, Mrs Olusola Gbenga-Igotun.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Prof. Ajayi, and Prophet Sam Olu Alo, a cleric and founder of the Olu Alo Foundation, were also honoured with excellence awards.

In a communique issued at the end of the five-day programme, the institute urged governments at the National and Subnational levels to abide by the Abuja declaration to increase the health budget by at least 15 per cent, saying that what is currently obtainable is a far cry from the agreement.

“The Institute equally encouraged governments to prioritise primary healthcare, provide quality healthcare at all levels, improve the National Health Insurance and pay more attention to vulnerable groups”.