The 4.2 percent allotment to the healthcare sector in the proposed 2022 budget has been criticized by stakeholders in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the president, signed the 17.16 trillion budget last Monday, with N724.6 billion going toward the health sector.

Even though the approved amount is a considerable increase over the N549.8 billion the sector received in 2021, it still only accounts for 4.2% of the overall budget.

In response, Abdulrafiu Alani Adeniji, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, voiced dissatisfaction with the allocation and claimed that the COVID-19 outbreak had taught the federal government no lessons.

He claimed that the COVID-19 outbreak exposed the “helpless” state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and that a significant amount of funding will be allocated to it.

What benefits can the health sector expect from 4.2%? Given the statements made by the federal government regarding COVID-19, we assumed that this year would be dedicated to health initiatives.

“They are merely oral statements. Even several of the 2020 and 2021 projects are still unfinished.

For example, malaria has claimed more lives than COVID-19, but there are no concrete plans to increase operations, the official added.

He added that, once again, the financial allotment to the health sector has not reached the 15 percent goal that African leaders set in 2001 under the auspices of the African Union.

Adeniji remembered that, during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria devoted 6.08 percent of its total budget to the health sector in 2012—the largest amount ever.

According to Adeniji, the industry is only surviving on out-of-pocket costs because budgetary provisions, insurance policies, and donations from the foreign community have not been able to keep up with demand.

“There are several ways that healthcare is paid for universal access: the National Health Insurance Scheme, budgetary allotment, international organization donations, and personal expenses.”

“The largest percentage of out-of-pocket costs is in Nigeria.” The National Health Insurance Scheme, which received 70–75 percent of health care financing when it was first introduced by former President Obasanjo, is barely getting by now.

Noting that the people have been let down by the legislative and executive branches of government, he also called on local benefactors to get involved in the industry.

Sam Ohuabunwa, the immediate past president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, also spoke with PUNCH HealthWise. He bemoaned the inefficiencies of the nation’s budget system, pointing out that it had been an issue for years.

Sadly, the budget is never actually used. That has never been accomplished, whether it is 10% or 5%. He informed our correspondent, “There is no value for the money.”

Ohuabunwa attributed this to Nigeria’s significant reliance on oil as a primary source of income and the high degree of corruption in government spending.

“The revenue from oil is quite unpredictable. Additionally, basing a budget on such a system is quite risky. There are just too many unknowns and variables with it.

“I wish Nigeria can get to the place where there is a predictable cash flow to manage the economy. He suggested that we focus our efforts on figuring out how to guarantee a steady stream of income.

However, activist Abideen Olasupo has called for the implementation of an additional budget in order to close the gap in the health sector.

“It is shameful and abhorrent that Nigeria continues to fall short of expectations at a time when we are discussing raising budgetary allocations for vital sectors like infrastructure, health, and education.”

The government must act in accordance with its words. In order to cover the shortfall, I urge the government to present a supplemental budget, said Abideen.