Bauchi health agency seeks complete release of funds for health sector
The Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Newborn Health (BaSAM) has appealed to the state government to release the full funds earmarked to the health sector in its 2017 budget to facilitate the timely implementation of the various maternal health programs aimed at saving the lives of women and children in the state.
The BaSAM state Secretary, Mr. Abu John made this call on Thursday during a media roundtable it organized to review and analyze the state’s 2016 health budget scorecard.
He commended the state government for allocating 15 percent of its revenue to the health sector in its proposed budget which according to him was the highest in the whole country.
”Data indicates that the Bauchi state government is making some progress in stakeholder/CSO participation in budget process, but the state can do better in other areas.
“BaSAM therefore calls on the Bauchi state government to ensure timely release of funds, participation of communities in the annual budget process and release of over 70 percent of the capital budget.”
The NGO also commended Governor Mohammed Abubakar ‘for taking into cognizance the annual sponsorship of Routine immunization by releasing 75 percent funding in line with government’s projections and agreements signed with development partners on Routine immunization in the state’.
He however requested the state government to create a dedicated Routine immunization budget code in the state annual budget for health instead of MoU for easy budget tracking and accountability.
