NSHA increases health budget to tackle children, women health challenges

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly says it has increased the budget proposed for the health sector to ensure adequate funds for emergencies associated with women and children.

Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, the Speaker, said this in Lafia, while addressing National Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and other women groups under Partnership Advocacy Child and Family Health.

He assured the women that the state assembly would continue to give priority to the health sector through enacting laws that had direct bearing on the health of the people, especially children and women.

“I am delighted and happy with your visit which is aimed at promoting the health needs of the people, especially that of women and children in the society.

“Seeing Muslim and Christian women coming together is a thing of joy; this will promote peace and unity especially now that the country is facing some security challenges. I call on you to sustain the relationship.

“On your request for funds, I want to tell you that the assembly has already increased the 2017 budgetary allocation of the health sector to tackle the health challenges of women and children.

“The percentage of that increment will be made public if we finally pass  the 2017 budget,” he said.

Balarabe-Abdullahi urged women groups to educate people on the need to live in peace, stressing that no nation could progress in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion.

Earlier, Farida Sada-Yusuf, the leader of the delegation, had said that the visit was to plead with the state assembly to allocate 15 per cent of the state’s budget to the health sector to tackle emerging challenges.

Sada-Yusuf, who is also the National President of FOMWAN, said that increases in budget votes for the health sector would improve the health status of women and children, and promote development.

“This is an advocacy visit by FOMWAN, women wing of CAN, among other women groups.

“It is aimed at pleading with various state houses of assembly to allocate 15 per cent of its budget to the health sector to tackle women and children health challenges,’’ she said.