Youth seek increased investments in health sector

 Youth have called on the federal government and other stakeholders to increase their investment in the health sector.  They made the call during a walk and health exercises organised by ONE Campaign Nigeria and DEAN to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day in Abuja.  The youth said that doing so would reduce high mortality rate […]

 Youth have called on the federal government and other stakeholders to increase their investment in the health sector.
 They made the call during a walk and health exercises organised by ONE Campaign Nigeria and DEAN to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day in Abuja.
 The youth said that doing so would reduce high mortality rate in the country.
The Nigeria Country Representative of ONE, Edwin Ikhuoria, said that for the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) three intended to achieve “good health and wellbeing” and for Nigeria to be achieved, there was need for better and transparent investment and management of resources in the health sector.
He said: “Everyday, Nigeria loses 2,000 children and 158 women due to poor access to basic healthcare. We also need timely release of fund because, till this moment, monies for vaccines have not yet been released nor reached anywhere and this is August 2016.”
He said that the inadequate attention paid to the health sector was responsible for the high mortality rate in the country, particularly among women and children who continued to die from treatable and preventable diseases.
 Ikhoria said: “We cannot fall behind in achieving the SDGs in Nigeria and that is only possible when people are healthy.”
 Semiye Michael of DEAN Initiative said: “As youth leaders, we are calling the attention of the leaders to prioritise the health of its people. Otherwise, no meaningful development can happen when people die of unnecessary causes.”
Dozie Nwafor of YALI stated that starting with the 2017 budget, provisions for the basic health care provision fund should be clearly provided for to allow access to basic healthcare services for the millions who cannot afford it, adding: “If fully implemented, the National Health Act could save the lives of over three million mothers, newborns and children under-five by 2022.”
Dr Francis Ohayindo, the senior policy advisor of the ONE Campaign, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the National Health Act and ensure all Nigeria’s children lived well.