Health Sector: Nigerians Should Expect More Strikes-Expert

A medical expert, Dr. Aminu Magashi has expressed concern that the health sector may witness more strikes if funds are not released to the sector.

Magashi who made this observation during a Media parley with health correspondents in his office said the present pattern of funding of the sector whereby funds are not released as and when due does not augur well for smooth industrial relationships in the sector.

The medical doctor drew attention to the fact that we are about to enter the last quarter of the year and capital votes for the health sector is yet to be released.

In his words, “12.5billion budgeted for immunization is yet to be released and funds meant for family planning which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council is still being withheld”.

According to him, hospitals are being starved of funds and doctors cannot perform optimally under such conditions.

Magashi also frowned at the fact that 24 per cent of the nation’s budget goes to debt servicing while only 4 per cent of the budget goes to the health sector.

He also drew attention to the fact that most of the expenditure currently in the health sector is coming from foreign donors saying such a situation is not sustainable and that there is the need for counterpart funding.

The medical practitioner wondered why government was not releasing money when Federal Inland Revenue Service alone was able to generate over N2 trillion apart from the fact that revenue accruing fron crude oil sales and other sectors has gone up.

Against this backdrop he called on government as a matter of urgency to release funds to the health sector to ensure proper healthcare delivery.