…as Stakeholders demand for accountability of 500 billion COVID-19 stimulus fund
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Again Minister of Health, Dr. Ehanire Osagie has snubbed the health Journalists 2 Day Annual Conference organized by the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists, ANHEJ to rub minds Wit outcomes that would convince Nigerians to accept the COVID-19 vaccination.
Ehanire who was physically absent from the conference nor send any Representative to the conference which was well attended by major stakeholders in the health sector such as the World Health Organization, WHO, Institute of Human Virology, IHVN, Africa Health Budget Network, AHBN, and Marie Stopes.
It has been recorded that since Ehanire became Nigeria’s Health Minister, he has avoidably shunned and refused to identify with health Journalists in all ramifications which is believed to be a smart way of avoiding questions on COVID-19 funds tracking and the ministry’s disbursement and utilization of the 500 billion naira stimulus funds donated by the International Monetary Fund, IMF, to Nigeria help alleviate COVID-19 related issues.
On the part of the African Health Budget Network, AHBN, Coordinator Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba said that every COVID-19 funding and recovery plans touches the lives of all Nigerians and as such the public should be adequately informed on how every penny is spent.
Magashi who was represented by the Senior Programme and Partner Officer of AHBN, Dr. Obinna Onuoah said that so about 126 billion naira was given to settle health sector s to help build resilient health systems and also to settle other underlying health conditions faced by the sector.
According to him the remaining 374 billion naira would be shared out to other non health sectors.
In the health sector, 86 billion was given out for capital projects on the revatilization of the health sector, while the remaining 40 billion was allocated for other critical issues or challenges faced.
Out of this, the following organizations were listed to gain a share of the stimulus.
The Nigerian Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other related departments received 10million naira, 2billion for the equipment of labouratory for effective and efficient testing of vaccines. The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development ( NIPRD), also received 2billion for its research and development.
Alongside with this, 18billion naira was allocated to 21 University teaching hospitals and 31 Federal medical centers and Specialist hospitals. 7.7 billion naira was added for the provision of personal protective materials for workers in the laboratories.
Furthermore, 18.4billion naira was given out to all the 36 states including the FCT, for the equipping of 10 intensive care units . 5.2billion was also allocated for the equipping of the isolation centres in each state and a 20billion hazard allowance allocated for workers.
Only about 50 percent of the funds have been released and shared among the various organizations and sectors. The Organization also urged those who have received the fund to commence work immediately, as work delayed after funding will be seen as sabotage by the public.
Magashi called on ANHEJ members to ensure they ask hard questions on the type, nature and duration of funding support for every recovery plan said, the media stands front-line and centre in ensuring that all Nigerians are well-informed with facts.
“With all the efforts underway towards recovery from COVID-19, the media stands front, line and centre in ensuring that all Nigerians are well-informed with the facts: what funding has been received and from whom, what plans from the Government are in place to utilize these funds to provide quality health, what are the checks and balances to ensure these dedicated funds offer value for money, what are the steps taken to ensure all concerned parties are held accountable in the disbursement and utilization of these funds, what are the feedback mechanisms from the beneficiaries of these health interventions, and how are the challenges and lessons carried forth for future reference, that we may learn from the past.
ANHEJ have therefore called on the health ministry give account and disbursement of the N500 billion the COVID-19 stimulus fund meant to lift Nigerians out of the doldrum of the pandemic.
