By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Institute of Health Service Administrators, IHSAN, has urged the Federal Government to adhere to the 2021 African Union member-states’ agreement, which advocates allocation of 15 per cent of country’s annual budget to the health sector.
National President of the Institute, Pst. RoseMary Archibong, Esq, gave the charge while speaking with journalists in Calabar during the weekend, after the institute successfully rounded off her professional development workshop that took place at Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
While canvassing for proper funding of the nation’s health sector, Archibong, a former director of Administration, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, advocated adequate attention to the nation’s health sector.
Archibong stated that the call became neccesary given the vital role that health plays in the development of the economy, stressing that the sector is one sector that galvanizes human capital, fights poverty and enables productivity among the workforce.
Speaking on the theme: “Modernizing Health Care, for Better Care, Better Health and Low Cost,” at the three-day workshop, Achibong stressed that the institute is elated by the appointment of Dr. (Mrs.) Salma Ibrahim Anas as Special Adviser, on Health to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; expressing satisfaction at the proactive beginning of the President and his wise choices in appointments made so far.
The first female national president of the institute l lauded President Tinubu on his assumption of office as the 16th President and Commander-in-Chief of Federal Republic of Nigeria and new ECOWAS Chairman.
The institute, in a communique signed by its National President, Pastor (Mrs.) Archibong, Esq, FHAN, and National Secretary, Mr. Harrison H. Etim, FHAN, the institute urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding of health and the educational sector, stressing that the two sectors are most critical sectors to any nation.
The communique further advocated for the “implementation with close monitoring and evaluation of the basic health care provision fund.
“Ensure close monitoring of the Health Maintenance Organizations, HMOs especially in prompt and bulk payment of capitation and fee for service claims as well as ensure that the National Health Insurance Authority works on review of the amount paid as capitation to health-care provider.”
The institute also called for regular training and retraining of health care managers, and encourage digital biometric membership registration to ensure implementation of health care trust fund policy.
