Redesign your health policy, spending – CSO tells Jigawa govt

Data obtained from health facilities in Jigawa State indicates that 75 per cent of disease burden and deaths can be tackled at the primary health care level, Comrade Isah Mustapha, the Executive Director of the Exceptional Leadership and Integrity Promotion Initiative (ELIP) has said.

He stated this during a one-day engagement with the newly appointed Special Advisers and Assistants on health to Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Namadi, organized by Jigawa Maternal Accountability Forum (JIMAF).

According to him, “Jigawa State Government has budgeted the sum of ₦163 billion for the Health sector from 2015 to 2022 and only N112b was released.”

He said about N65 billion was spent on salary and allowances, while ₦46 billion was spent on capital projects.

He said out of the amount, the primary health sector was given less attention, while the secondary and tertiary sectors took the lion’s share.

“If primary healthcare is given more consideration, 75% of deaths would be averted,” he said.

Mustapha said there was a need for the Jigawa state Government to redesign its health policy and spending to give more emphasis to the primary health sector to achieve the set objectives.

“Robust approach should be given to the primary healthcare sector to tackle the challenges, and make basic healthcare services more accessible and affordable for all,” he added.

Special Advisers to the governor on Health, Alhaji Isiyaku Sabo promised they would do their best towards the improvement of public healthcare services delivery.