KNSG urged to increase budget on health

Kano state government has been urged to increase its budget allocation on health and ensure its timely release for the good health of women and children in the state. The call was made by the project director of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH) in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria […]

Kano state government has been urged to increase its budget allocation on health and ensure its timely release for the good health of women and children in the state.

The call was made by the project director of the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH) in collaboration with the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Farida Sada.

Farida made the statement while briefing the executive members of Kano state chapters of the Nigeria Council of Ulama, Christian Association of Nigeria and the state Ministry for Women affairs and Social Development at an advocacy visit paid to them respectively.

She said 12.06% allocated to health in this year’s budget was short of the 15% agreed by the state government at the Abuja Declaration 2001 to allocate the 15% of its annual government expenditure to health.
She added that there was the need for government to ensure that after allocation, the fund is release on time and used judiciously.

She further urged government to create specific budget for the procurement of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc-LO-ORS as the first line drug in the management of pneumonia and diarrhea.

Responding, the chairman, Council of Ulama, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil and the CAN President, Bishop Ransom Bello pledged full support for the issues advocated by the group.

The duo stated that they would do their best through sensitization of their followers most especially on the four areas the group was working on which includes pneumonia, diarrhea, immunization and family planning.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Yardada Maikano Bichi said she would push the issues at the state council meeting for proper policy decision, adding that what the group was doing was the work of her ministry.