#ValueOurHealth campaigns for better spending
The Africa Health Budget Network has launched the #ValueOurHealth campaign to bring government spending on health, women and young people into focus. Presenting the campaign at the Women Deliver Conference in Copenhagen, Dr Aminu Magashi, director of Community Health and Research Initiative, and coordinator of the network, said the campaign looks to "increase access […]
The Africa Health Budget Network has launched the #ValueOurHealth campaign to bring government spending on health, women and young people into focus.
Presenting the campaign at the Women Deliver Conference in Copenhagen, Dr Aminu Magashi, director of Community Health and Research Initiative, and coordinator of the network, said the campaign looks to "increase access to budget information and opportunity for public engagement in the budgeting process."
"We need to expand the space for civil society organisations, the media and then public to participate in budgeting," he said.
A 2015 scorecard by the Open Budget Index of Nigeria and some other 25 African countries shows poor ranking on budget transparency, accountability and public participation.
Magashi said citizens had a right to say how they wanted public funds spent, paving way for better spending.
"The more we have information and engage with leaders, we begin to see changes in our lives," said Magashi.
#ValueOurHealth campaign was first launched at the Spring Meetings in Washington.
Former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, now a director with the Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative, has backed the campaign, which is also reaching to the public through social media.