By Milcah Tanimu

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has urged President Bola Tinubu to allocate a minimum of 15% of the 2024 annual budget to the health sector.

Dr. Dele Abdullahi, the President of NARD, voiced this request in an interview with PUNCH Healthwise. He expressed concern over the exclusion of the health sector from the 2023 supplementary budget.

Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) also emphasized the importance of not neglecting the health sector in the supplementary budget.

NARD and JOHESU highlighted the unfortunate omission of the health sector from the supplementary budget, despite its dire state. They pointed out that the health sector is in urgent need of attention and investment.

The National Assembly recently approved a N2.18 trillion supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year, which was intended to address pressing issues, including defense, security, and welfare packages for workers and vulnerable Nigerians in response to the removal of petrol subsidies.

Dr. Abdullahi stated, “The health sector is in shambles and a lot of things need to be done about the sector but it was considered in the budget.”

He also stressed the importance of adhering to the Abuja Declaration commitment, which requires allocating at least 15% of the annual budget to the health sector.

Dr. Obinna Ogbonna, the Acting Chairman of JOHESU, pointed out that health is essential, and the health sector should not have been overlooked in the supplementary budget. He noted key issues such as salary structures and workers’ welfare that should be addressed.

Both NARD and JOHESU intend to advocate for the inclusion of the health sector in future budgets and address the urgent needs of the sector.