In a bid to prioritize healthcare and improve funding in the health sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a directive to raise the budget allocation for health to 10%.
The announcement came from Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas, the Special Adviser on Health to the President, during the Gatefield Health Summit in Abuja.
The summit was organized in collaboration with the National Action on Sugar Reduction Coalition and the World Bank, with the primary goal of advancing healthcare financing through pro-health taxes.
Addressing the attendees, Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas revealed the President’s decision to bolster the health sector’s budgetary allocation.
She said the increase aims to provide better resources and support for healthcare initiatives, with the ultimate goal of improving the overall health and well-being of the citizens.
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“Even before we advocate, though we need advocacies, and we don’t even need to advocate to Mr. President. He had said that he is going to increase allocation for health. It’ll start from 10% of the total budgetary allocation will go to the health sector, and that’s just the beginning.
“Based on our demonstration of capacities to utilize, and an indication of accountability, he’s going to increase more. And that is just the beginning. So, he has challenged us to do that to demonstrate those capacities and he’s ready to support and mobilise additional resources wherever they’re”, she said.
She, however, said the funds generated from the sugar-sweetened beverages taxes should be allocated to the health sector.
