Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Deeply concerned about the persistent underfunding of Nigeria’s health sector, the heavy reliance on out-of-pocket expenditures, and the resulting poor health outcomes and recognizing the foundational role of strong Primary Health Care (PHC) systems and predictable immunization financing in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and national development, the National Assembly Committees responsible for health, along with all multi-stakeholders present, unanimously RESOLVE to:
1. Unequivocally support the proposed National Health Act (Amendment) Bill seeking to increase the BHCPF allocation from 1% to a minimum of 2% of the CRF.
2. Support for the ongoing constitutional amendment process to recognize health as a fundamental right and to embed sustainable financing mechanisms within the nation’s supreme law.
3. Advocate for Immunization Financing as a First Line Charge (FLC) ensuring timely, full, and mandatory release of funds, free from bureaucratic delays.
4.Strengthen Oversight and accountability : Improve effective, efficient, transparent, and accountable approaches to the oversight of existing funds and their disbursement.
5.State Governments to meet their counterpart funding obligations for the BHCPF, Gavi, and other health partnerships, and to establish transparent tracking and reporting mechanisms for health funds.
6. Support the Custom and Excise Act revision and implement state-level levies on alcohol, tobacco, and sugar-sweetened beverages, earmarked for health.
7.Enhance Local Ownership: Strengthen and prioritize the role of state and local governments in vaccine delivery and procurement, ensuring robust sub-national ownership, leadership, and sustained contributions to immunization programs
8. Prevent siloed efforts by fostering strong partnerships and ensuring one coordinated conversation, one unified plan, one integrated M&E framework, and one shared result.
9. Develop and institutionalize data-driven advocacy approaches to guide program improvements and inform high-level engagement..
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