Abuja, Nigeria – The administration of President Bola Tinubu has released only 40% of the N22 trillion allocated to the health sector in the 2024 budget, leaving Nigerians to grapple with inadequate healthcare services. The revelation, made by the Minister of Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, during a press briefing on Monday, has sparked outrage among healthcare professionals and stakeholders.
The health sector, which is critical to Nigeria’s development, has been plagued by chronic underfunding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of essential medical supplies. The partial release of the budget has further exacerbated these challenges, leaving millions of Nigerians without access to quality healthcare.
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Details of the Budget Release
According to Dr. Pate, only N8.8 trillion of the N22 trillion health sector budget has been released so far. He attributed the delay in releasing the full amount to revenue shortfalls and competing priorities in other sectors.
“We are doing our best to ensure that the health sector receives the necessary funding, but we are constrained by the current economic realities. We have released 40% of the budget, and we are working to secure additional funds,” Dr. Pate said.
The minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery, including the construction of new primary healthcare centers and the recruitment of additional healthcare workers.
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Impact on Healthcare Delivery
The partial release of the health sector budget has had a significant impact on healthcare delivery across the country. Many hospitals and healthcare facilities are struggling to provide basic services due to a lack of funds, while patients are forced to pay out-of-pocket for treatments that should be subsidized by the government.
“The situation is dire. We don’t have enough drugs, equipment, or personnel to meet the needs of our patients. The government must prioritize the health sector and release the remaining funds immediately,” said Dr. Adeleke Mamora, a public health expert.
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Public Outcry
The revelation has sparked widespread outrage among Nigerians, with many calling on the government to prioritize healthcare and release the full budget.
“How can the government allocate N22 trillion to the health sector and release only 40%? This is a betrayal of the trust Nigerians placed in this administration,” said Aisha Yusuf, a civil rights activist.
Healthcare workers have also expressed frustration, warning that the current situation could lead to a collapse of the healthcare system if not addressed urgently.
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Calls for Action
Stakeholders in the health sector have called on the Tinubu administration to release the remaining funds and take urgent steps to address the challenges facing the sector.
“The health sector is a matter of life and death. The government must release the full budget and ensure that the funds are used effectively to improve healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate and public health expert.
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The partial release of the N22 trillion health sector budget highlights the challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare system and the urgent need for increased investment in the sector. As Nigerians continue to grapple with inadequate healthcare services, the focus will be on how the government addresses these challenges and fulfills its promise to improve healthcare delivery.
For now, the situation remains critical, with millions of Nigerians left to bear the brunt of a poorly funded healthcare system.
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