Stakeholders call for increased investment in RMNCAEH+N

Stakeholders call for increased investment in RMNCAEH+N 

Investment
By Abujah Racheal
Abuja, June 24, 2024(NAN) Stakeholders have called for increased investment and improved accountability and transparency in the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, Elderly Health and Nutrition (RMNCAEH+N) sector.

They made the call during a workshop organised by the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) on Monday in Abuja, saying increased investment would enhance maternal and child health outcomes in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop brought together diverse group of participants, including representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the media, youth and government officials.

The primary objectives are to present the draft Nigeria RMNCAEH+N Strategy, review and build consensus on indicators for RMNCAEH+N Accountability Scorecard, and develop a scoring sheet.

The Coordinator of AHBN, Dr Aminu Magashi, stressed the critical need for robust investment in RMNCAEH+N services to ensure comprehensive healthcare for all demographics, including mental health services, sexual and reproductive health services and nutrition interventions.

Magashi also highlighted the urgent need for increased budgetary allocation to the RMNCAEH+N sector.

He said “investment in maternal and child health is not just a health issue, it is of economic and social value.

“Adequate funding will enable us to achieve universal access to vital health services and improve outcomes for women, children and adolescents across Nigeria.”

Mr Olympus Adebanjo, a Youth Advocate, who expressed concern and commitment to advocacy for greater accountability, said “we need to hold leaders accountable for every Naira spent on health.

“Transparent reporting and effective use of resources are essential to achieving health goals.”

The CSOs Representative, Mrs Chika Offor, who is also the Executive Director of Vaccine Network for Disease Control, called for unified approach to tackling health challenges.

She said “collaboration among stakeholders, government, CSOs, the media and youths is crucial.

“We must work together to ensure that health investments are not only increased but are also efficiently and transparently managed.”

On her part, Ms Racheal Abujah, the representative of Association of Nigeria Health Journalists (ANHEJ), said that the call to action from the workshop was apt.

Abujah, who is also the Vice President of ANHEJ, said that greater investment in RMNCAEH+N and improved accountability mechanisms are indispensable to advancing Nigeria’s health agenda and achieving sustainable health outcomes for all.

She stressed the importance of governance and leadership in driving accountability and transparency in the health sector.

NAN recalls that during the plenary sessions, stakeholders discussed the development of indicators that would ensure better tracking and reporting of health investments and outcomes.

These indicators cover budgetary allocation, governance, leadership and overall accountability and transparency.

The workshop concluded with a consensus on key indicators for the RMNCAEH+N Accountability Scorecard, which will serve as vital tool for monitoring and evaluation process in the sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

AIR/KAE/HA
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Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu