Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Save the Children International (SCI), has advocated for improved health security and increased funding for the health sector if the country is to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Advocacy campaign and policy manager for Save the Children International (SCI), Abuja field office, Mr Ifedilichukwu Ekene Innocent, asserted this during the 2023 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kaduna yesterday
According to him, more funding is required to facilitate good health services for Nigerians to enable good living.
Innocent, appreciated the past efforts of the government and other independent bodies in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy good health care services.
“Today is December 12, a day the world is marking universal health coverage, which is the opportunity given to health stakeholders, the government, the private sector, and individuals to promote issues that relate to health, especially how quality can be given to people at low cost or at a cost that is affordable by them and it will be given to them, not minding their social status or opportunities they have in the society but health for all Nigerians.”
He highlighted the responsibility of the group which is to support the government in achieving its mandate, to put in policies, structures, strategies, and plans that will help to bring health to all Nigerians, especially those living in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
“The way Save the Children is structured, is to support government at all levels. In Kaduna state, for example, we have support from Bill Mindagate foundation and other donors who are supporting us to be able to carry out advocacy engagements in supporting government.
“I think the last government has done so well in terms of meeting up with the Abuja declaration of 15 percent, but the challenge with the last government is the issue of cash backing. There is the political will to do what is proper is there, and that is why they were able to meet up with their 15 percent Abuja declaration, but if you look at the releasing and cash backing, there may be other political issues that relate to it.”
Mr. Ekene said they hope to work closely with the new government in 2024, to ensure that more funding is released or to utilize the available funds to provide the needed quality health services for all citizens living in Kaduna State.
