Health workers urge FG to allocate 15% budget to sector

The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has called on the federal government to demonstrate leadership in the African region by fully implementing the 2001 Abuja Declaration, which mandates a minimum of 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector. The union made the call in a communiqué issued at the end […]

The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has called on the federal government to demonstrate leadership in the African region by fully implementing the 2001 Abuja Declaration, which mandates a minimum of 15 per cent budgetary allocation to the health sector.

The union made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 51st Regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja, jointly signed by its national president, Comrade Kabiru Ado Sani and secretary-general, Comrade Auwalu Yusuf Kiyawa.

The meeting, which brought together elected NEC members, state chairmen and secretaries from all the state councils and the FCT, was attended by many labour leaders, including the global president of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade (Dr) Ayuba Wabba, among others.

In its resolutions, the NEC expressed concern over the deteriorating state of Nigeria’s health sector, citing infrastructural decay, poor funding and inadequate human resources as major challenges hindering the country’s progress towards quality health care delivery.

The communiqué noted that despite the Abuja Declaration, which Nigeria spearheaded in 2001, the country’s annual health budget had remained far below the agreed benchmark. It, therefore, urged the federal government to “make deliberate efforts to live by example in the region and sub-region by respecting the declaration.”

On insecurity, the union described the worsening security situation across the country as “alarming and unacceptable,” warning that it has fueled a rise in internal displacement and poverty. It urged both the federal and state governments to act swiftly to curb the menace before it worsens the humanitarian crisis.

Addressing the impact of climate change, the NEC commended the federal government for establishing the National Council on Climate Change and its collaboration with the NLC and affiliates.

However, it called for the declaration of a state of emergency on climate change, citing its devastating effects, such as food shortages, flooding, rising disease outbreaks, forced migration and desertification.

In its conclusion, the NEC commended the leadership of MHWUN, staff and thanked guests for making the 51st meeting “memorable and successful,” while wishing all delegates safe journey to their respective destinations.