New Telegraph

AHBN seeks transparency, proper utilisation of COVID-19 funds

As Nigerians continue to demand accountability of the COVID-19 funds, Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) has called for transparency and proper utilisation of funds targeted at providing the needed support to win the fight against the pandemic. The Coordinator of AHBN, Dr. Aminu Magashi, who spoke at the 5th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Auta Balefi Nasarawa State, stressed the need for government and policy makers to prioritise health if the country must achieve full recovery from the pandemic.

Magashi who was represented by AHBN’s Senior Programme and Partnership Officer, Dr. Obinna Onuoha, urged health journalists to demand answers on the type, nature and duration of funding support targeted at COVID-19 recovery plan. He said: “Every COVID-19 funding and recovery plan touches the lives of all Nigerians, and as such, the public should adequately be adequately informed on how each penny is utilised.

“With all the efforts underway towards recovery from COVID-19, the media stands in the front line and centre in ensuring that all Nigerians are well informed with the facts; what funding has been received and from whom, what plans from the Government are in place to utilize these funds to provide quality health, what are the checks and balances to ensure these dedicated funds offer value for money.

“What are the steps taken to ensure all concerned parties are held accountable in the disbursement and utilization of these funds, what are the feedback mechanisms from the beneficiaries of these health interventions, and how are the challenges and lessons carried forth for future reference, that we may learn from the past?” Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr. Patrick Dakum who advised government to fund health programmes rather than depend on donors, urged the media to ensure the government understands their role by ensuring proper funding for health, tell compelling stories that will bring about government action.

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