Thumbs-up for Mr. President, State Governors, and the National Assembly

Thumbs-up 👍 👍 👍 for Mr. President, State Governors, and the National Assembly for being on the same page and reading the same paragraph about the establishment of state police. 

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Senators, Hon. Members of House of Rep. and State Houses of Assembly, I humbly wish to propose that the next logical paragraph to be read loud and clear in unison should be #LocalGovernmentAutonomy and #CommunityPolicing. 

History beckons at you to have your name written in gold.

Bolaji Oladejo.

Autonomy for local government, state legislature, and state judiciary

Source: wikifarmer.com

Dangling! Dangling! Dangling! It's dangling right before our eyes, like an orange in an orange orchard. Many thanks to the National Assembly and all stakeholders. However, if we make no effort to protect and harvest the orange, birds will peck at it for food and destroy it. It has dangled before, with many thanks to the previous National Assembly and all stakeholders, but birds pecked and destroyed it because we went to sleep when the orange was getting ripe.

Once again, the National Assembly has passed a number of bills towards amendment of the 1999 Constitution. These include the ones that grant autonomy to the local government, state legislature, and state judiciary. If we keep silent and go to sleep again, history may forgive us for being docile as usual but history will not forget to write our names in unattractive colours for future generations to see.

Now that the ball of autonomy is in the court of Sate Houses of Assembly for consideration before final constitutional amendment, we need to start putting our state legislators and state governors under pressure. It would be helpful if many of us, as responsible individuals and groups, could get their phone nos. to let them know where we stand on this important and progressive issue of autonomy. In addition, we can use print, electronic, and social media to showcase our inalienable standpoints. As much as possible, we can also organize town hall meetings at the LGA and/or state levels, with or without the hon. member(s) present, and send written and audio-visual reports (if available) of the meetings to the respective legislators and governors. Stakeholders must be encouraged to take proactive action. Civil Society Organizations have critical roles to play and must not stop their interventions at the level of the National Assembly.

Any hon. member of a State House of Assembly who argues or votes against autonomy for local government, state legislature, and state judiciary in defiance of his/her people's wish is neither a democratic nor a progressive representative. He/she should be recalled, or denied another term, or blacklisted against future political offices.

In the very likely and usual event that the voting is done secretly, the governor of any state where the proposed autonomy fails or is not considered at all by the state legislature should be held responsible for twisting the voting hands of state legislators. Civil Society Organizations, pressure groups, political parties, and individuals must mobilize to deny him 2nd-term (where applicable), or blacklist him against senatorial ambition or future political offices. The governor takes responsibility because, under normal circumstances as we all know, there's no reason why legislators will, at the very least, not vote for their own autonomy except that they're forced to kowtow to the wishes of a paymaster. Little do the legislators learn from the experience of others that sheepishly doing the bidding of their governor does not guarantee automatic ticket to return to the house or succeed in some other political aspirations. The typical governor, as a strategic political animal - who operates based on his enlightened self-interest and gross selfish interest - can and will in the morrow dump you who consider yourself as his political friend today in favour of his yesterday's or today's political enemy. 

In our society, we have an undemocratic, unproductive, and unhelpful culture of giving our executive and legislative representatives excessive latitudes of power to do and undo like kings and emperors in the olden days. We sometimes forget that they are supposed to work for our collective interests and not for their personal political or economic interests. We sometimes do not remember that they are expected to be answerable to us as electorates. We oftentimes do not realize how powerful we can be as a people if we mobilize and deploy our collective powers against 'democrats' profiting from democracy but working against democracy and the people.

Under the supreme sovereignty and power of God who rules over the affairs of men, we the people are the owners of sovereignty and power. As development-conscious human beings, patriotic citizens, committed change agents, and progressive democrats, we must begin to work towards making things happen for us and not just allow things to happen to us.

Onward ever: federal, state, and local governments! Onward ever: the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary! Backward never: Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Bolaji Oladejo

JOB OPPORTUNITIES - APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: 9 APRIL 2022

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The West African Health Organization (WAHO) is the health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) charged with leadership and coordination of health improvement programs across the ECOWAS region. WAHO is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the under-listed vacant positions. Interested applicants are advised to visit www.wahooas.org or www.ecowas.int to download the relevant Job Description as well as the Job Application Form. All applications must be sent electronically to the email address specified for each post, and must include a Cover Letter of not more than one page on the motivation for applying, a completed Job Application Form, a signed current Curriculum Vitae, and a certified copy of Birth Certificate. 

GENERAL CONDITIONS 

Candidates must be ECOWAS citizens and must not be more than 50 years of age at the time of recruitment (the age criteria does not apply to internal candidates). Submitted documents will not be returned; and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisting and interview processes shall be based on the ECOWAS Staff Regulations. Closing date for Applications: 9 April 2022

1. VN91 PROGRAM OFFICER, PHARMACY & ALLIED HEALTH 

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or Pharmacy or Nursing or Medical Science or any Allied Health Sciences from a recognized university. Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressive responsible experience in the implementation of healthcare programs. An understanding of the issues regarding human resources for health in the ECOWAS region, a knowledge of quality assurance standards and an ability to manage relationship with partner organizations, Ministries of Health and other relevant regulatory bodies. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the PPO Human Resources for Health, the incumbent shall update course modules as well as lead the development and standardisation of training (basic and post-basic) curriculums within the region. S/he shall advocate for the development of the Pharmacy and Allied Health Profession and collaborate with training institutions and bodies such as the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacists (WAPCP) to promote high quality training of Pharmacists and Allied Health professionals in the region. 

2. VN92 PROGRAM OFFICER, TRADITIONAL MEDICINE 

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or Pharmacy or Nursing or Medical Science or any of the Allied Health Sciences from a recognized university. Candidates must have at least 5 years’ experience in the implementation of healthcare programs, a sound knowledge of quality assurance standards in the ECOWAS region and an ability to manage relationships with partner organizations, Ministries of Health and other relevant regulatory bodies to foster cooperation. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the PPO Healthcare Delivery, the incumbent shall lead and effectively coordinate the Traditional Medicine (TM) program at WAHO and support ECOWAS Member States to integrate it in their health systems. The incumbent shall be required to consolidate the gains made and introduce other innovative activities, particularly in the areas of harmonization of national policies and regulatory frameworks, development of training tools for TM practitioners and other health professionals, promotion of dialogue between TM practitioners and conventional medicine practitioners, promotion of research and development of plant medicines, conservation of medicinal plants and protection of indigenous knowledge. 

3. VN93 PROGRAM OFFICER, NURSING & MIDWIFERY 

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or Pharmacy or Nursing or Medical Science or any Allied Health Sciences from a recognized university. Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressive responsible experience in the implementation of healthcare programs. An understanding of the issues regarding human resources for health in the ECOWAS region, a knowledge of quality assurance standards and an ability to manage relationship with partner organizations, Ministries of Health and other relevant regulatory bodies. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the PPO, Human Resources for Health, the incumbent shall organise workshops, seminars and course modules updates, engage in the certification processes for nurses at basic and post basic levels, and assist in the development of the curriculum for Nursing and Midwifery training across the region. S/he should produce a monthly journal on nursing activities in the region and will work closely with training institutions including the West African College of Nursing (WACN) to promote high quality training of nurses and midwives. 

4. VN94 PROGRAM OFFICER, HEALTHCARE STANDARDS & QUALITY 

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or Pharmacy or Nursing or Medical Science or any of the Allied Health Sciences from a recognized university. Candidates must have at least 5 years’ progressive experience in the implementation of healthcare programs, a sound knowledge of noncommunicable disease strategies, and an understanding of quality assurance standards in the ECOWAS region. He/she should be able to manage relationships with partner organizations, Ministries of Health and other relevant regulatory bodies. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the PPO Healthcare Delivery, the incumbent shall be responsible for developing a region wide health facilities quality assurance programs, and promoting patient safety and risk management programs. He/she shall direct the efforts of all the performance improvement initiatives to ensure compliance with all regulatory standards. This role shall involve working independently and collaboratively with other Program Officers to ensure the establishment of quality healthcare standards and clinical risk frameworks. 

5. VN95 PROGRAM OFFICER, RESEARCH – Industries & Third Sector 

6. VN96 PROGRAM OFFICER, RESEARCH – Academic Institutions 

QUALIFICATIONS (for VN. 95 & VN. 96) 

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine or Pharmacy or Nursing or Medical Science or any Allied Health Sciences from a recognized university. Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in management and implementation of public health programs or in public health research. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of the health needs and problems in the ECOWAS Member States, and a knowledge of the epidemiology of the recurrent infectious diseases and other threats to regional health security. 

DUTIES (for VN. 95 & VN. 96) 

Under the supervision of the PPO Research and Grants, each appointee shall be responsible for the linkage of WAHO with “Industries and Third sector” (VN. 95) or with “Academic Institutions” (VN. 96) as appropriate on the following aspects: (i) development and implementation of regional research programs in WAHO’s areas of interest, (ii) development and the implementation of the Regional Research Capacity Strengthening, and (iii) dissemination, synthesizing and translation of research results into policy and practices. 

7. VN98 PROCUREMENT OFFICER 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance or a related field from a recognized university. Candidates must have 5 years of relevant experience in all areas of Administration, Financial Management, Accounting, and Project Management that are relevant to Procurement functions. S/he must demonstrate professional competence and mastery of the subject matter, and an ability to provide technical advice on a broad range of administrative, financial and accounting areas related to Procurements. A knowledge of ECOWAS Financial Regulations and Procurement Code will be an advantage. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the PPO, Administration & Human Resources, the Procurement Officer has the responsibility to manage the routine procurement activities of the organization from the preparation of tender requests, opening of bids, establishment of purchase orders and monitoring of the delivery of goods, works and services 

8. VN99 GENERAL ADMISTRATIVE OFFICER 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration or a related field from a recognized university. Candidate must have 3 years of progressively responsible experience in Administration, Public Administration or a related area. Candidates should possess a demonstrated ability to use basic SAP/MM modules to carry out administrative functions, including basic data entry, extraction and interpretation, and be familiar with administrative and financial policies and procedures related to government or international organizations. He/she should have an understanding of ECOWAS Financial, Administrative and Procurement Regulations and Procedures. 

DUTIES 

Under the supervision of the Administrative Officer, the General Administrative Officer shall play an active role in the overall organization, management and delivery of office support services by ensuring smooth operation of ongoing administrative functions across WAHO including the creation of a conducive work environment, promotion of health and safety practices, assets and facilities management, information storing and retrieval systems, etc. 

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Re: EndSARS Protest, Public and Private Properties

I can understand unjustifiably why hungry and angry citizens would help themselves to the yet-to-be-distributed or undistributed COVID-19 food palliatives stored in warehouses across the country even though it is simply an act of stealing. But I find it very appalling and condemnable that hoodlums had to destroy, burn or loot public utilities, infrastructures and establishments that are meant to be of service to the people. 

It is also condemnable that private properties were also destroyed, burnt or looted as a fall-out of the #EndSARS protest. All these were very barbaric and should be investigated and punished appropriately.

#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality

Some Little Thoughts on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria

Having served in the Health System Strengthening sub-sector for some years before I recently had to step aside to take charge of Public-Private Partnership in my new station, I warmly welcomed the gentle thoughts about healthcare delivery that greeted my mind early this morning. 

How could we have expected to have ‘Health for All by the Year 2000’ in Nigeria with insufficient and dysfunctional Primary Health Care Centres? How can we expect to have available, accessible, and affordable healthcare when agencies charged with the mandate of ensuring physical access and financial access to healthcare are under-performing? How can we expect to have Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the absence of synergy between the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)? How can we expect to have Universal Health Coverage with weak collaborations and partnerships between the national and sub-national levels, between the public sector and private sector (for-profit and not-for-profit), between Governments and communities, and between the health sector and other sectors? Even with UHC, how can we expect to have good health outcomes on a sustainable basis with little attention being paid to preventive health through provision of good water, sanitation, environment, nutrition, education, roads, etc?

Based on the 1988, 2004, and 2016 National Health Policy Documents, primary health care remains the bedrock and central focus of Nigeria’s healthcare system development. Important agencies such as the NPHCDA and the NHIS that are crucial for physical and financial access to health care are certainly due for reform. Some questions should begin to agitate our minds towards reforms that will enable things to be done differently to achieve different sets of better results: Do we really need Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) for our health insurance? Can we copy and adapt the health insurance models of some countries – especially Asian countries – that are not built around HMOs but have (almost) achieved Universal Health Coverage? How about a hybrid system whereby we still retain HMOs for secondary and tertiary care but remove primary care from the hands of HMOs? Or can we have social HMOs joining hands with and consolidating social healthcare providers?

Going down memory lane and reflecting on the current unwholesome situation of the nation’s healthcare with particular reference to the two agencies (NHIS and NPHCDA), one would observe that the situation is not acceptable. For instance, according to the National Health Policy (2016), “Less than 5% of the Nigerian population is currently covered by any form of prepayment schemes, such as health insurance. Only Federal Government workers are currently enrolled in social health insurance and civil servants from most states are yet to be enrolled.”

I believe that well-meaning leaders and individuals are capable of taking remedial actions and stopping predators in and around the agencies who can never change their carnivorous nature and who have been devouring all kinds of preys in the public sector jungles. We need as a matter of urgency to salvage our health care system, particularly the NHIS, from the claws of the predators and ambulance it out of the jungle. NOW is the auspicious period to do so, knowing that 50% of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) from the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, international donor contributions, and other sources has been set aside by law for the NHIS to administer. The efforts of health sector stakeholders, the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), as well as decision-makers in the executive and legislature which led to the enactment and signing into law of the National Health Act 2014 have been severally commended and still remains commendable. The Act prescribes, among others, the establishment of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, 50% of which goes to the NHIS, 45% to the NPHCDA, and 5% for emergency medical treatment to be administered by a Committee which shall be appointed by the National Council on Health.

However, I am of the view that there is a need for urgent amendment of the National Health Act 2014 with respect to the disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. Against the background of the fact that majority of Nigerians that are currently not covered by health insurance are informal sector employers, employees, and others who are largely rural dwellers, we need to tweak the Act to accommodate the private sector as major beneficiaries through dedication of a certain percentage of the Fund as soft loans to new and existing private-for-profit rural healthcare providers. These private providers may opt to go it alone or enter into public-private partnership agreements. Private-not-for-profit organizations such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), Philanthropies, and Foundations should also be encouraged to establish and provide rural healthcare services on their own or through public-private partnerships (PPP). The private sector is undoubtedly stricter in management of men, money, materials, and methods than the public sector. The common incidence of absentee health workers and a number of other sharp practices in public health facilities, especially those in rural and hard-to-reach areas, cannot be condoned by the private sector. The sector has some values which government institutions at all levels can leverage on through partnerships. With public-private partnership arrangements, Government and partners should be able to balance their social and profit objectives to deliver effective, efficient, accessible, equitable, affordable, acceptable, and quality health care services.

In addition to the extant provision in the Act for disbursement of NPHCDA’s 45% share of the BHCPF exclusively to eligible States, Federal Capital Territory, Local Government and Area Council Health Authorities, all of which are public sector institutions, there should be an amendment to the Act to the effect that the NPHCDA and the NHIS will enter into a tripartite agreement with the Bank of Industry (BOI) through which eligible private sector operators with commercial orientation can access a certain percentage of the 45% that may be set aside. The BOI has the expertise, experience, and pedigree for effective and efficient management of venture capital funds. The NHIS will be expected to provide ‘health insurance lives’ and capitation to eligible and duly-accredited providers that are delivering rural healthcare services under this arrangement.

We really need to bring health care closer to the people and promote utilization of same. We must build and strengthen a new regime of shared goals, joint actions, and collective responsibilities between the NHIS and the NPHCDA towards achieving UHC. Both agencies cannot afford to operate in silos. What exactly is the benefit of new and existing pool of funds accruable and available to the NHIS for the provision of basic minimum package of health services to citizens if health care providers and services are not available and accessible within easy reach? What precisely is the benefit of health care facilities, equipment, personnel, drugs, consumables, and services made available to the public if the majority that are poor, weak and vulnerable do not have the means and the safety nets to access and utilize them? What indeed is the benefit of an elephant that is available for meat and protein without the availability of knife to cut it up and fire to cook or roast the meat, other than its carcass will become food for carnivorous animals and vultures? And as far as the public space is concerned, there are such ‘animals’ and ‘vultures’ around the corner.

Here now is a clarion call to the Presidency, the National Assembly, the FMOH, the NHIS, the NPHCDA, and other stakeholders: Let us all work together cooperatively, collaboratively, and patriotically to bring about necessary reforms towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria!

Mobolaji Lateef OLADEJO

Genderizing corruption: Dieziani would not be harshly judged if she was a man

Daily Post of 22nd Sept. 2017 reported that Nigerian frontline novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, took a swipe at Nigerians for criticising former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dieziani Alison-Madueke over fraud allegations. According to her, Dieziani’s case would not be capitalised if she was a man because stealing money is a norm practised by Nigerian politicians.

It's a great surprise that this is coming from someone in the calibre of Chimamanda Adichie who is operating at the global arena and should, ipso facto, imbibe global standards and exhibit zero-tolerance against corruption. It shows that we've got a long way to go as far as corruption war is concerned. 

Corruption is an unwanted beast-of-no-gender in a progressive society. Corruption took the deep egocentric plunge into the muddy lake and got itself messed up with stolen black gold, but someone is telling us from a high gender ground that we should just wash it clean, cloak it back in a new attire, worry less about the black gold, and give it a pat on the back on account of gender sensitivity that has no precedent whatsoever.

Ngozi, Nigerian youths are looking up to you as a literary leader but you have just disappointed them by simply genderizing a big case of corruption the same way that important public issues are normally ethnicized and religionized by unscrupulous politicians. My sister, if you argue that the system is unfair to Dieziani because she's a woman, is Col. Sambo Dasuki - for example - a man or a woman? Please don't jump into that murky political water with your presumably white regalia.

You may wish to tender apologies to the millions of Nigerian youths for disappointing them, and to the millions of corruption-averse men and WOMEN in Nigeria for offending their sensibilities.

Nigeria: Who can be considered to have committed an act of terrorism?

Following our previous post on the definition of terrorism according to the Nigerian law, let us now reason as to who can be considered, legally speaking, to have committed an act of terrorism.

According to Section 1 Subsection 2 of Nigeria's Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013 and in tandem with the definition of "act of terrorism" given by Section 1 Subsection 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011:

"A person or body corporate who knowingly in or outside Nigeria directly or indirectly willingly -

(a) does, attempts or threatens any act of terrorism,

(b) commits an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism,

(c) omits to do anything that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of terrorism,

(d) assists or facilitates the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism or is an accessory to any offence under this Act,

(e) participates as an accomplice in or contributes to the commission of any act of terrorism or offences under this Act,

(f) assists, facilitates, organizes or directs the activities of persons or organizations engaged in any act of terrorism,

(g) is an accessory to any act of terrorism, or

(h) incites, promises or induces any other person by any means whatsoever to commit any act of terrorism or any of the offences referred to in this Act,

commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to maximum of death sentence."

That's the law! What do you think in practical terms concerning the Nigeria of today?

Here is the definition of “terrorism” as provided by the Nigerian law

In the context of prevailing challenges of insecurity in all parts of Nigeria, people have been asking for the definition of “terrorism” and what exactly constitutes “terrorism”.

Different people have come up with different refractions of terrorism based on their own prisms of understanding and judgment.

Without any attempt to join issues with arguments or counter-arguments on the subject, here is the definition of “terrorism” as provided by the Nigerian law:

Section 1 Subsection 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states that: 

In this section, "act of terrorism" means an act which is deliberately done with malice, aforethought and which:

(a) may seriously harm or damage a country or an international organization;

(b) is intended or can reasonably be regarded as having been intended to -

(i) unduly compel a government or international organization to perform or abstain from performing any act,

(ii) seriously intimidate a population,

(iii)seriously destabilize or destroy the fundamental political, constitutional, economic or social structures of a country or an international organization, or

(iv) otherwise influence such government or international organization by intimidation or coercion; and

(c) involves or causes, as the case may be -

(i) an attack upon a person's life which may cause serious bodily harm or death;

(ii) kidnapping of a person;

(iii) destruction to a Government or public facility, a transport system, an infrastructure facility, including an information system, a fixed platform located on the continental shelf, a public place or private property, likely to endanger human life or result in major economic loss;

(iv) the seizure of an aircraft, ship or other means of public or goods transport and diversion or the use of such means of transportation for any of the purposes in paragraph (b) (iv) of this subsection;

(v) the manufacture, possession, acquisition, transport, supply or use of weapons, explosives or of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, as well as research into, and development of biological and chemical weapons without lawful authority;

(vi) the release of dangerous substance or causing of fire, explosions or floods, the effect of which is to endanger human life;

(vii) interference with or disruption of the supply of water, power or any other fundamental natural resource, the effect of which is to endanger human life;

(d) an act or omission in or outside Nigeria which constitutes an offence within the scope of a counter terrorism protocols and conventions duly ratified by Nigeria.

Having seen the definition of terrorism from the perspective of the law of the federation, what's your view on the application of this definition to contemporary issues and happenings in the land?

Nigeria’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) - Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty

The Nigerian health sector has, for quite some time, been advocating for improved funding of the sector. Inadequate funding of the health sector is not peculiar to Nigeria. It was against this background that African Heads of State and Government, under the auspices of the African Union (AU), met in April 2001 in Abuja and pledged to set a target of allocating at least 15% of their annual budget to improve the health sector. The situation has not significantly improved in Nigeria and in most African countries as Nigeria sometimes allocates as low as 5% of its annual budget to health and spends about that same percentage on General Government Health Expenditure (GGHE) in relation to General Government Expenditure (GGE). Moreover, past Nigerian National Health Accounts (NHA) studies conducted (1998-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2009, and 2010-2014) have revealed that the burden of health expenditure on the household through out-of-pocket expenses is generally as high as 70% of Total Health Expenditure (THE).

It is heartwarming to note that the efforts of stakeholders yielded dividends with the enactment and signing into law of the National Health Act 2014 The Act provides under Section 11 (1) that: “There is established the Basic Health Care Provision Fund ….” According to Section 11 (2) of the Act, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) shall be financed from the following sources:

• Federal Government annual grant of not less than one percent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund;
• Grants by international donor partners; and
• Funds from any other source.

It has been almost three (3) years now since the BHCPF was established but funds are still being awaited. We appreciate the fact that Government’s revenue situation has been very weak especially in the last two years and we patriotically look forward to significant improvements soon. However, we hope that Government will make allocation of requisite funds for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund a top priority in the 2018 Annual Budget.

In anticipation of funds, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) have collaborated to develop Guidelines for the Administration, Disbursement, Monitoring and Fund Management of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund 2016 This proactive action is very commendable.

While fully supporting and optimistically looking forward to the statutory transfer and release by the Federal Government of not less than one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, we must remember – as a popular saying goes – that “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”. We must not be like pro-democracy groups and NGOs who fought for democracy and subconsciously went to sleep when the return to democracy became a reality in 1999. We must be very vigilant of the administration, disbursement, utilization, and management of the Fund by relevant agencies and bodies such as the NHIS, NPHCDA, State and Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care Boards, Local Government and Area Council Health Authorities, and the Committee to be appointed by the National Council on Health.

It is important that funds are released into the BHCPF, but of great importance also is the transparent, effective and efficient management of the funds to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Eternal vigilance is the price expected from all of us as stakeholders. 

Thank you.