PSN says 4.5% 2017 health budget inadequate

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has said despite the increase of N81.3bn naira in the 2017 budget compared to 2016, the country still has a long way to go. President of the PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai said in a statement in reaction to the budget that the proposed spending in the health sector is […]

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has said despite the increase of N81.3bn naira in the 2017 budget compared to 2016, the country still has a long way to go.

President of the PSN, Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai said in a statement in reaction to the budget that the proposed spending in the health sector is a far cry to the recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO).

He said, "According to World Health Organisation and African Heads of States during Abuja declaration, 15% of the total expenditure of a state should be spent on healthcare because of the importance of good health to a nation’s well-being, productivity and life expectancy.

"The 4.15% budgeted for healthcare in 2017 even though higher than the 3.65% of 2016 is still less than one third of what is expected by any country according to WHO. Compared to United State’s 20.7%, Germany’s 19.4%, Iran 17.5%, China 12.6%, and Turkey 10.7% budgeted for healthcare for their citizens in 2015, as a nation we must do the right thing and be a global player.”

However Yakasai advised that the implementation of the National Health Act by the Federal Government would go a long way to cushion the effect of 4.15% budgeted for healthcare in 2017 and help us as a country to truly safeguard the health of Nigerians.

He said, "PSN believes that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. And the number one task of governance is to protect the lives of her people, and healthcare doesn’t just protect the lives of the people but also enhances the quality of their lives.”