The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has urged State Governments to increase health budget with a view of improving health system at the state levels.
He made the call during a one- Day workshop for the Technical Review and Validation of 2006-2014 National Health Account (NHA), in Abuja.
Dr Ehanire said that the Federal Ministry of Health would work with the State Ministry of Health (SMOHs) towards institutionalizing the State Health Account (SHA) studies.
He further said that the creation of budget line for health financing in the various state health budget with the SHA as a sub- head would encourage state investment case for the health as well as develop the financing policy and strategy in the health sector.
Dr. Ehanire said that the Federal Government would support the States towards strengthening their public financing mechanisms (PFM) systems to ensure electronic management of health financing data.
The Minister appreciated NHA core technical team comprising FMOH, NBS, CHECOD, WHO, UNFDA, UNICEF and other development partners, who have consistently supported Nigeria’s NHA.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, FMOH, Mrs. Binta Adamu-Bello, who was represented by the Senior Technical Assistant, Mr. Mfon Bassey, said that the study would serve as the baseline for Nigeria’s National Universal Coverage Agenda, Healthcare financing policy and strategy and the ongoing development of the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP 11)
She added that the study would fast track the process of achieving Universal Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.
She urged the participants to make efficient use of the workshop to discuss and articulate future plans for the routine institutionalization of National Health Accounts (NHA) Studies.
In his Goodwill Message, the Commissioner of Health, Nasarawa State, Dr. David Iya, said that the workshop would provide platform for delivering quality healthcare system at the state level, adding that it would improve their capacity and make them more accountable to the people.
