In a bid to ensure that Benue State achieves the target for Sustainable Health Financing, towards achieving Universal Health Coverage which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals and also increase its Health budget from the current 3.5 to 15 per cent in 2017, the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, has commenced the training of CSOs and NGOs in the state , on effective advocacy.Speaking at the end of the training , the programme manager, White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, Afoke Igwe, explained that the training, was supported by Christian Aid, and is aimed at building and enhancing the Knowledge of CSOs and NGOs for capacity needs assessment on sustainable Health financing and Advocacy.
Afoke further explained that the training campaign focused on ensuring increasing Budgetary allocation for Healthcare services and ensuring Gender justice for all, by achieving a just and equitable power relation to all parties involved and appealed to the government for increased budget allocation to health in planning the 2017 budget.
Also speaking, the programme facilitator, Felix Obi,said, through the training, both CSOs and NGOs will have adequate Knowledge of what a budget is, processes involved and as well acquire some skills needed to carryout Advocacy,budget analysis, financing an tracking.
He appealed to the CSOs and NGOs to use the skills acquired to support the implementation of Primary Healthcare Reforms and the establishment of the Healthcare Insurance Scheme in the state and community levels.
Those who spoke at the end of the training include Comfort Okpe, Mabel Ber, Godwin Ondoma and James Aker all commended the White Ribbon Alliance Nigeria, for improving on their knowledge and promised to give adequate support to the establishment of Healthcare Insurance Scheme especially at the community level, adding that they are now better informed and educated on health related issues.
Source: Leadership