From Mika’il Tsoho, Dutse
A Non governmental organization known as Jigawa State Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Accountability Forum (JiMAF) has called for more investment in health sector in Jigawa state.
JiMAF also decries low budget performance in health sector, urging the authorities to increase efforts for better healthcare services delivery in the state.
The performance was presented by executive director of the forum, Comrade Isah Mustapha during a one day Public Policy Dialogue on Increase Health Investment organized by the Jigawa State Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Accountability Forum (JiMAF) support from Lafiya, UKaid Project held at Manpower Development Institute (MDI) in Dutse.
The report shows that, the third quarter of this year (2025) the the Jigawa state ministry of health implementation performance stand at 57.1 percent which is in adequate.
“the overall Q1-Q3 health sector budget implementation for 2025 as reported in the budget implementation report (BIR) stand at 57.1 % against the expected 75%. A breakdown show personal 72.8 % recurrent 47.9 % and capital is 50.4 %.
“breakdown on the quarter basis shows the expenditures pattern is almost the same with the slight across the quarters” the report indicated.
He disclosed the the Jigawa state government is continue to struggled to achieve 15 percent Abuja declaration and the recent mutual accountability commitment between the Jigawa state government and FCDO in the last five years the sector allocation has been fluctuating from 13.6%, 16.1%, 15.7%, 12.1% and 9.2% between 2021 to 2025 in the approved budget
“The percentage further dropped in the revised budget across five years from 14.7 %, 13.5%, 14.4%, 6.2% and 8.9% between 2021 to 2025”, he emphasis.
The paper observed that the delay in submission of budget implementation data by MDAs quarterly budget performance report reduced compared to Q2 where only five programs were not reported in Q3 compared to 19 in Q2
The group also observed weak inter-agencies coordination arises from the absence of tripartite data validation process between the ministry of budget and economic planing, the ministry of finance and other reporting institutions.
Comrade Isah Mustapha called on the state executive council to improve the investment on the health sector to sustain partners interventions, achieve 15 percent Abuja declaration and honor MAF commitment.
He also advised the state government to enforced the adoption of a harmonized budget and financial reporting template, aligned with the NGF standard for use across all relevant institutions.
“The state government most provide capacity building sessions for MDAs planning officers and ensure uniform applications of approved template”.
While responding to the report, the state commissioner for health Dr Muhammed Abdullahi Kainuwa who was represented by Permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Kabiru said, the present administration is committed towards ensuring better health services in the state.
According to him, looking at some barriers like rapid population growth, climate change, and insecurity challenges, the health sector need more investment to address the barriers.
