By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

THE Center for Social Justice, CSJ, on Tuesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Health to use available resources to address the deteriorating state of Primary Health Care Centers, PHCs, challenges in the health sector and other prevalent diseases found in the national epidemiological analysis.

This was even as it called on the Ministry to ensure the full implementation of the National Health Act, NHA, and Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

The group, while harping on the need for accountability, beseeched the Federal Government to attach much importance to Primary Health Care, PHC, adding there was need for resource mobilization as part of step towards Universal Health Coverage, UHC.

These calls, among others, were made by the Lead Director, CSJ, Onyekepere Eze, during an event on Federal Pre 2023 Budget: Right to Health Memorandum, in Abuja.

He said: “We are calling on the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure the full implementation of the National Health Act and this includes issues around full implementation of the basic health care provision fund, as well as full resuscitation of primary health care centres across the Federation.

“This may not necessarily be done by the Federal Government, but providing a policy framework and a policy implementation background to facilitate the rehabilitation by states and local governments. Of course, if there are any federal grants available, to make sure that are properly utilised across the Federation.

“Pursue spending policies that are consistent with strategic and high-level health plans and policies and which assure a reasonable degree of stability and predictability. Hinge health spending on a whole of government health in all policies approach;

“Prioritize primary health care (PHC) which is the foundation for secondary and tertiary care; Provide an enabling environment and motivate domestic resource mobilization as a step toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC);

“Pursue spending within a definitive macro-economic framework with, at a minimum, medium-term horizon and which assures a prudent balance between available resources and planned spending;

“Ensure that the scale and focus of health spending address the prevalent disease conditions found in national epidemiological analysis; ensure optimal value for all Government health spending combining the realization of improved (more) health from already available resources while pushing for more money for health;

“Maintain the integrity of the Health Information Management System: Provide full, accurate and timely disclosure of financial information relating to the health activities of the Government and its agencies, that is, ensuring transparency and accountability; and Manage health risks faced by the nation prudently, having regard to economic, social and other circumstances.

He enjoined the government to key into the proposed draft of the 2023 health annual budget by the CJS as it is premised on empirical evidence, stating that it would help set the priorities of the government in the health sector.