By Kemi Yesufu & Patrick Ochife
On Monday, December 12, 2016, majority of residents of Abuja stayed at home, while others went out as it was a public holiday declared for the Eid Malud, a day set aside to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed.
But even as some chose the public holiday as a day for relaxation, dozens of stakeholders from the health sector gathered at the Unity Fountain, Maitama, for a walk to create awareness on the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.
UHC Day December 12, is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations (UN) resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality health care to every person, everywhere. UHC is a means to promote the human right to health.
One of the participants, Faith Aworinde, told Daily Sun : “I am a member of the Nigerian Red Cross, most of the work we do is related to taking healthcare to the vulnerable. So being here today is something that is expected of me.”
She joined other participants in the 30-minute walk between the two famous Abuja landmarks, chanting slogans, demanding that government at all levels collaborate to ensure universal health coverage.
Participants at the walk held placards calling for the Federal Government to fully implement the National Health Act and the Abuja Declaration by African Heads of Government to allocate 15 percent of their annual budgets to funding health services.
Dr. Nkata Chuku highlighted the importance of the event: “Today is the Universal Health Coverage Day which is celebrated all over the world just like Christmas day, every December 25. This day comes and goes quietly just like any other day, but this time around, we decided to organise this walk as the first of many events to start creating awareness that every Nigerians whereever you are, its your responsibility to demand for healthcare and also to contribute towards improving healthcare delivery.”
Immediate past chairman, Board of Trustees, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON), Dr. Ben Anyene, insisted that Nigeria must jack- up allocation to healthcare: “What we are saying is that government should do the right thing, at the appropriate time. If countries like Burundi and Rwanda can give universal health coverage to their citizens, I don’t see any reason why Nigeria can’t do the same.
“And before this is done, it requires re-orientation and commitment. It is not possible to fund the health of Nigerians with about 4.5 percent of the national budget. We are speaking to both federal, state and local government administrations.
“Let me use this opportunity to plead with the government to look into this UHC policy which targets giving quality healthcare to all Nigerians. If we know that prevention is better than cure, then, there is no need making these policies and leaving them on shelves.
“Take for instance, the National Health Act which was passed october 31st 2014 and the Law says, it must be implemented within two years, this is more than two years now and no single portion of that health act is being implemented. What we are doing here is fighting for the right of all of us, both people in the government. Because if the health sector is doing very well, then nobody will travel abroad for treatment.”
Representative of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Henry Owunonu, said it is time government takes action to improve health outcomes in the country: “In two days time, it is expected that the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces in this country will present a 2017 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.
“We have all come out today to plead with Mr. President to do all that he can using the available legal instruments and every other thing like the Abuja Declaration, the National Health Act, and every policy instrument to make sure that in 2017 and beyond, no Nigerian will suffer financial hardship just because that person is ill and has to pay for treatment.”