TheCable

Nigeria needs about N712 billion annually to bridge healthcare financing in the country, according to BudgIT, a civic technology organisation.

BudgIT said this at the presentation of a report on health financing analysis in countries affected by Ebola.

The report was presented in Abuja on Thursday.

Oluseun Onigbinde, lead partner of the organisation, said Nigeria would achieve tangible investments if it increases its budget for the health sector.

“The budgetary allocation to health should be increased to cater to the needs of Nigerians as the health per capita is relatively low when compared to other African countries,” he said.

“If Equatorial Guinea could do $663 per citizen, then Nigeria can improve from $118 to at least $300.

“If the health budget is made to attain at least to 15 percent of the national budget, as declared by the African Union, an additional sum of N712 (USD 1.9bn) will be needed to give the goal sum of N1.09 trillion (USD 3.03bn), and Nigeria can achieve more tangible investments in the sector.”

He also urged the federal government to spend more money on capital expenditure.

Onigbinde urged state governments to equip primary healthcare centres to cater for the needs of citizens in rural areas.

“The federal government should spend more on capital expenditure, as the difference between recurrent and capital is wide. If Nigeria seeks to fund the health sector through borrowing, then transparency and accountability should be adopted,” he said.

“Primary Health Centres should be adequately equipped, as these centres are often visited by citizens in rural communities. This will also help to reduce congestion in the tertiary health institutions.”