* As stakeholders demands transparency, utilisation of N500bn COVID-19 stimulus fund
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) has decried the absence of the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), at the just concluded 5th annual conference of the Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ).
Speaking during a presentation at the conference, Chairman of the FCT Chapter of the NUJ, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, said he was disappointed that the critical drivers responsible in sensitising Nigerians on COVID-19 vaccination would be absent in such an important gathering.
Ogbeche, in his presentation titled: “Managing and sustaining a non-popular organisation” stressed the need to address such abnormalities whereby government shift its responsibility to International organisations and donors, adding that it does not speak well for the county.
He said; “We are discussing matters relating to COVID-19 and we are not seeing the Minister of Health, Dr Ehanire and the NCDC. It speaks volumes to the issues we have in this country.
“That primary organisations that should show support, endeavour for those that are critical in driving the process of advocacy, awareness and sensitisation more often than not leave it to International organisations and donors to do.
“It is time for us to take responsibility by showing more commitment, address such abnormalities because it does nor speak well for us as a country”.
Ogbeche, who further disclosed that the theme of the conference titled: “Improving confidence in COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria beyond 2021: The role of the media”, is apt and stressed the need to reach out to those that matters to ensure that all Nigerians are vaccinated.
He said, “We need to ensure that all Nigerians are vaccinated. For us in FCT Chapter, we have started this earlier. We have organised consistently in partnership with the FCT Administration for vaccination of journalists and their family members.
“It is to our credit that about 650 journalists and their family members have been vaccinated. Regrettably, only 20 members showed up for the the last vaccination exercise we had two weeks ago.
“We have to brace up to ensure that we walk the talk. We must be seen to believe in what we preach and believing in what we preach means that we believe in the vaccine. This can be achievable through diligent and commitment”.
Meanwhile, key stakeholders in the health sector has called out on the ministry of health to effectively and efficiently utilized the N500billion stimulus funds donated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Nigeria, to help combat covid-19 related issues.
The African Health Budget Network (AHBN), coordinated by Dr Aminu Magashi, said every COVID-19 funding and recovery plan touches the lives of all Nigerians, and as such, the public should adequately be adequately informed on how each penny is utilised.
Magashi, who was represented by the Senior Programme and Partnership Officer, Dr. Obinna Onuoha, said, so far, about N126billion was given out to the health sectors to help build resilient health systems and also to settle other underlying health conditions faced by the sector.
The remaining N374billion will be shared out to non-health sectors.
In the health sector, N86billion was given out for capital projects on the revatilization of the health sector, while the remaining N40billion was allocated for other critical issues or challenges faced.
Out of this, the following organizations were listed to gain a share of the stimulus.
The Nigerian Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other related departments received N10million, N2billion for the equipment of labouratory for effective and efficient testing of vaccines.
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), also received N2billion for its research and development.
Alongside with this, N18billion was allocated to 21 University teaching hospitals and 31 Federal medical centers and Specialist hospitals. The sum of N7.7billion was added for the provision of personal protective materials for workers in the laboratories.
Furthermore, N18.4billion was given out to all the 36 states including the FCT, for the equipping of 10 intensive care units . The sum of N5.2billion was also allocated for the equipping of the isolation centres in each state and a N20billion hazard allowance allocated for workers.
Only about 50 percent of the funds have been released and shared among the various organizations and sectors. The Organization also urged those who have received the fund to commence work immediately, as work delayed after funding will be seen as sabotage by the public.
He further called on ANHEJ members to ensure they ask hard questions on the type, nature and duration of funding support for every recovery plan, saying that the media stands as the frontline and centre in ensuring that all Nigerians are well-informed with facts.
Magashi said, “With all the efforts underway towards recovery from COVID-19, the media stands in the frontline and centre in ensuring that all Nigerians are well-informed with the facts: what funding has been received and from whom, what plans from the Government are in place to utilize these funds to provide quality health, what are the checks and balances to ensure these dedicated funds offer value for money, what are the steps taken to ensure all concerned parties are held accountable in the disbursement and utilization of these funds, what are the feedback mechanisms from the beneficiaries of these health interventions, and how are the challenges and lessons carried forth for future reference, that we may learn from the past.
