By Thompson ABISOLA
A Bauchi based Civil Society Organization (CSO), Reproductive Health Initiative Support Association (RHISA), has called for the timely release of funds allocated to the health sector in the 2018 capital budget.
The Executive Director of the Organisation, Mrs Regina Lee, made this call on Tuesday in Bauchi.
According to her, the release will fast-track the construction, rehabilitation, and purchase of relevant medical equipment to improve on health care delivery and save the lives of mothers and children.
“The timely release of the allocated funds will also reduce maternal and infant mortality, as the capital expenditure captured staff housing and purchase of medical equipment among others,” she said.
In his contribution, the Executive Director, Miyetti and Almajiri Initiative, Mr Rabiu Garba, said that the Bauchi State Government had consistently allocated over 15 per cent of its budget to the health sector.
According to him, the commitment is worthy of recommendation. He said the timely release of allocated funds was paramount in the areas of maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization and other components of health care.
According to him, the Civil Society Organizations as the watchdog of the society, will support government in delivering its health care agenda to ensure that quality health care is accessible to the public.
“There must be prompt release not just the approval of funds. The releases in the primary health care basket fund is worthy of commendation, as the state government is doing well in that direction,” he said.
TBI Africa reports that the capital expenditure in the health sector is 71.46 per cent while that of recurrent is 28.54 per cent in the 2018 state budget.
