NGO Holds One day workshop on health in Imo
Over the weekend, a well known non governmental organization, Covid-19 transparency and accountability in Africa(CTAP), held a one day workshop in Imo state, with professionals from health and other partners agency in South East.
The program which held in Imo state, was well attended by health practitioners across the South East, With its vast population and diverse healthcare challenges, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture.
While commendable progress has been made, significant gaps remain in access to quality healthcare services. These gaps remain in improving health outcomes and addressing systemic issues that hinder progress. Now, more than ever, engaging in meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts is imperative to revolutionize Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Nigeria has made substantial strides in enhancing accountability, transparency, and citizen participation concerning health sector
expenditure, encompassing the federal and sub-national levels. As we navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, it is crucial that stakeholders, visionaries, and advocates chart a path toward a
healthier and more equitable future for all Nigerians. BudgIT with funding from Skoll Foundation through the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability
Project, CTAP has undertaken a strategic mission in the six geopolitical zones of the Country to improve citizen participation in health sector transparency and accountability as well as Improve the Functionality and Accessibility of Primary Health Care Centres in communities.
To this effect, Commissioners for Health, Executive Secretaries, CMDs, Permanent Secretaries, and Directors for Public Health Services in the Southeastern Region of Nigeria have come together to set an Agenda for Healthcare in the region.The overall initiative of the COVID-19 Transparency and Accountability Project (CTAP) is to seek and promote accountability and transparency through the tracking of COVID-19 intervention funds and
the structure of health sector across 9 African countries – Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria etc.
After the round table discussion by these expert, it was recommended as follows:
The Human Resource For Health in the state must develop and implement a timely policy for the recruitment and appointment of Health Personnels focusing on not only numbers but on quality as well. The State Government should Improve and harmonize salary and remuneration structures For the Health workers.
On the Preparedness for an Epidemic Outbreak, it suggested that the State Commissioner for Health should Establish infectious Disease Hospitals in all the
Senatorial zones with functional Modular Laboratories and Ambulance services. The State senate and House of Reps should set up a committee to work with the State
Epidemiologist in readiness for an epidemic at any time. Proper Governance Structure in the Health System is as follows, The State Ministry of Health through the Commissioner for Health should oversee the activities of Agencies in the Health Sector.
Non-State Actors inclusion. The State Government should consider the involvement of CBOs, FBOs and Development Partners
using Partnership Co-ordinating Forum.
On Improvement and Access to HealthCare Facilities, The State’s National Health Insurance Authority should make Provision of Health Insurance and Schemes to formal, informal and people living with disabilities.
The State Government should make Provision for a good road network and transportation that is peculiar to each area like tricycles, boats, e.t.c. South East State Governors should liaise with Ad-HOc staff to Build Equipped and Standard facilities with well trained and qualified personnel.
Government Accountability
Health Stakeholders should Collaborate with CSOs to push for advocacy of accountability from the government reminding them of their promises to the people in the health sector.
In conclusion, the group affirmed that , While they continue to probe into deeper issues plaging the health sector across Africa, it’s important to have these recommendations to guide health care access in South East, Nigeria. A state of emergency needs to be declared, while chief executive officers of these states needs to focus on the
health sector.
In the end, they hope to see a more vibrant health sector that gives more accessibility,
and affordability. BudgIT and CODE seeks to constantly advocate on these issues and hope to see changes at the subnational levels.
Spotted at the occasion was the representative of the Foundation and his team, Iyanuoluwa Bolarinwa , Imo State Commissioner for Health Dr. Prosper Success, Permanent Secretaries from all the southeastern states, Executive Secretaries from the Primary Health Care Centres , CMDs of the tetiary hospitals, Director for Public Health Services in the south eastern region amongst others.
