Emma Elekwa
Stakeholders in health sector in Anambra state have advocated for timely budgeting and disbursement of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) & other health counter-part funded programmes.
The stakeholders made the call during a one-day engagement on Famework to Oversight Budgeting and Timely Disbursement of BHCPF for Effective Services in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in Anambra State.
Speaking during the engagement, Executive Director, Civil Rights Concern (CRC), Okey Onyeka said drafting of framework for BHCPF budgeting and disbursement has become necessary to ensure adequate implementation of basic care provision funds for the state.
He said, “We invited stakeholders who can make meaningful contributions and develop a framework that will ensure timely, transparent and accountable use of the funds.
“We’re not just interested in timely release of the funds, but its effective utilization so that every segment of the society, both the poor and the rich are captured.
“Meanwhile, the funds are conceived as a way of ensuring that family and individual expenditures, including out-of-pocket expenses are reduced.
Shock absorber
“They’re also meant to serve as shock absorber to cushion effects of financial incapacitation which may lead people resorting to unwholesome facilities and equipment, making them vulnerable to worse situations.
“Besides, no sick person should be confined in the house merely due to lack of money to access health facilities.”
While lamenting lack of efficiency and effectiveness of services in the PHCs, Onyeka said the engagement would attempt to address every area of challenge.
“If government facilities are working effectively, people will definitely not prefer going to private facilities were they would pay more, thereby negating the very essence of the fund.
“But what we see is not what is expected. That’s the reason we’re asking questions around drugs, environment and other logistics required for efficient service delivery.
“We may not actually solve all the problems, that’s why supports from communities and other stakeholders are required to compliment what is available.
“We’re optimistic that the outcome of the engagement will be useful in updating the drafts we came up with.
“The framework will definitely plug the loopholes in terms of timely fund releases and utilization,” he stated.
