An advocacy group, Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Neo-Natal Child Health (BaSAM MHCH) has called for timely release of funds appropriated for the health sector in Bauchi State.
It also calls for an increase in funding to the healthcare sector in the 2018 budget.
The group made the call in Bauchi when its Advocacy subcommittee paid a courtesy visit to the Bauchi State House Assembly committee on Health.
While speaking, BaSAM secretary and team leader of the delegation, Abu John Yusuf, said they were in the House to commend the legislature and the committee on health in particular for its commitment to healthcare delivery in Bauchi state.
He said that the group also wants to spur the committee to do more by increasing the budget line to the health sector and ensure timely release of funds appropriated.
BaSAM reiterated that it uses evidence obtained from studies and research as advocacy tools to push for more funding to the health sector.
“While it is commendable the pronouncement of 15 percent allocation to the health in the 2017 budget, evidence shows that only 1.7 percent was released between January and June which is grossly inadequate,"he said.
The team leader highlighted some of the challenges being faced in the healthcare facilities across the state which includes lack of drugs and medical consumables, inadequate functioning blood banks in the secondary health facilities, inadequate supply of basic lifesaving drugs such as Magnesium sulphate, Chlorhexidine, ORS/Zinc and Misoprostol.
Responding, the chairman house committee on health, Ibrahim Bello Katagum commended BaSAM for their efforts in trying to mitigate MNCH.
He informed them that the house is ready to enact laws that would strengthen healthcare system in the state.
“House committee on health in the Bauchi State House of Assembly has the highest number of bills that is seeking to strengthen the system and improve health care services,"he said.
While thanking BaSAM for the visit, the committee chair further said that the Legislature in the state always welcome constructive criticism adding that it will alert the house committee on health where it may be going wrong in the discharge of its duties.
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