Release approved 2025 family planing budget, others — AHBN tells FG

From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The African Health Budget Network (AHBN), has urged the federal government to ensure release of the 2025 approved health budget to address challenges in the country.
The Founder/Coordinator of AHBN, Magashi Garba, stated this on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja.
Specifically, he said the federal government should fully release the 2025 approved family planning budget, including the US $4 million government counterpart funding to complement the national family planning program and also, the 10% approved budget from the 60bn of the Medical Relief fund under the Presidential Initiative for unlocking the health value chain.
He also called on NHIA to ensure the implementation of the mandatory health insurance as issued by the presidential executive order and ensure family planning services becomes part of the benefit package.
“We urge the Federal and State Governments to fully release the 2025 adolescent health and well-being budgets at both national and subnational levels.
“We commend the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare for the recent release of N32.9 billion in Direct Facility Financing (DFF) under the BHCPF. We call for greater accountability and transparency to ensure prudent utilization, strengthened monitoring and supervision, and improved health outcomes.”
Speaking further, he called on the government to fulfill Nigeria’s counterpart funding obligations for immunization in alignment with Gavi and UNICEF commitments and release the allocated funds to the tune of 137 billion in 2024 which 25% was released, including 231 billion for 2025.