Save the Children International (SCI) in partnership with some Kaduna-based civil society organizations are calling for citizens prioritized health budget both at the state and local government levels.
Advocacy and Campaign Assistant SCI, Amabel Olukotun, disclosed this during a one-day capacity strengthening for the champions of the CDC across the 23 local government areas of kaduna state,
Amabel Olukotun, noted that the platform believed in bottom-up approach increases the chances of getting more result when it comes to the health needs of the citizens.
“We believe that to get the best result we need to start from the grassroots. This project Is centred around strengthening health system including health financing.
“With this orientation, when the participants return to their respective local council, aside being aware of what to do and how to promote health-enhancing activities of people at the grassroots, it will be important for them to understand how items in the budget are developed for the need of the people in their communities so at the end of the day when budget is implemented, the needs of every group in the society are met”, she said.
Team Lead, Coalition of Association of Leadership Peace Empowerment and Development (CALPED) in Kaduna State, Yusuf Goje, described the partnership as a way forward for all citizens to have access to improved health services irrespective of their social status.
He said, “SCI have brought CDC champions from the 23 local government areas of the state. Ward engagement focal persons who have been developing annual operational plan for the health sector in Kaduna State are also here”.
The Group under Bill Gate Anchor IV projects said for now, they are not pushing for increment in budgetary allocation for the Health sectors in Kaduna as the state already maintain the Abuja declaration of 15 percent allocation.
They however want the health priorities of the citizens at the grassroots captured using a tool called Community Development Chartere (CDC) to form the annual operational plan (AOP) and health budget at local and state levels beginning with 2022 budget.
