Lagos spends less than one dollar on health per person- scorecard

Lagos spends less than one dollar on health of each person per year, according to the 2016 budget score card.

The budget scorecard which was produced by The Lagos State Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Newborn Health (LASAM), with support from MamaYe, showed that the state scored low in per capital health budget, which is the amount spent on health of each person in the state for the year 2016.

It also showed that the state performed low on capital budget release to Primary Health Care Board, and the Ministry of Health headquarters.

It however showed that on Transparency, the State Government scored fairly in areas of annual publication of the State’s account, adherence to budget timetable, public availability of budget and timely release of fund to the Ministry of Health.

The Health Budget scorecard used four indicators – Transparency, Participation, Adequate Resource Allocation and Budget Release – to assess the performance of Lagos State health budget.

The State however, scored high for inclusion of communities and civil societies in budget planning, allocation of counterpart fund for Midwives Service Scheme and timely release of budget to Health Service Commission.

Speaking during the unveiling of the scorecard in Lagos recently, LASAM Co Chairperson Barr. Ayo Adebusoye said Lagos State Government to do more in the areas of allocation of adequate resources, ensure timely release of at least 70 per cent of allocated fund and ensure more inclusion of civil society organisation (CSOs) in budget planning.

“We also advise the government to ensure stability in the management of the Primary Health Care Board and embrace more people as partners in progress”, he said.