Osinbajo seeks budget allocation for public health emergencies

Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has stated that the legislative arm of government must guarantee that sufficient budget allocation is provided for public health emergencies.

Osinbajo, who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, on Monday, spoke during the 4th yearly legislative meeting on health in Abuja.

The Vice-President declared that the COVID-19 pandemic uncovered the weakness of the nation’s health system while also lauding the health workers for their dedication nationwide most particularly by reinstating previously deteriorating outpatient consultations in the first four months of the epidemic.

He said, “The attainment of the Universal Health Coverage for all Nigerians and especially for the most vulnerable Nigerians is at the heart of the human capital development initiative of this administration.

“Our experience in the last one year of COVID in Nigeria has exposed the vulnerability of our health system and the importance of preparedness, diagnosis and response mechanism.

“However, there are different understandings of what is meant by the concept of health security.

“One of such proactive steps is to ensure that there are funds set aside always and which can be made available whenever there is a public health emergency.

“Such fund should only be utilised when a public health emergency is declared, while the legislature must ensure that adequate budgetary allocation is made for preparedness activities.”

Osinbajo further said that public health security needs active and subtle measures to reduce the danger and effect of severe public health procedures such as immunisation, family planning and observing other diseases like malaria.