Coalition tasks CSOs, journalists to hold govt accountable on MNCH

Coalition tasks CSOs, journalists to hold govt accountable on MNCH
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
Accountability
Bauchi, Feb. 6, 2019 (NAN) Bauchi State Accountability Mechanism on Maternal Child Health Care (BaSAM), a Coalition, has urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and journalists to hold government accountable on Maternal Newborn Child Health (MNCH) in the state.
Mr John Abu, the Secretary of the coalition, made the called at the BaSAM Biannual meeting in Bauchi on Wednesday.
According to him, any health sector reform must be complemented by a roll-out strategy, including robust support to the health systems and to their capacity building.
“Development partners must align and coordinate their strategies with government to stabilise the MNCH programme in the state.
“The quality and range of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) services in the state are dependent not only on the allocations for health in the budget but also on the contributions from development partners.
“Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the donor contributions for strengthening of healthcare services in rural and urban populations in the state.
“There is evidence that similar levels of health investment by donors can lead to better health outcomes in the state,” he said.
He therefore said the CSOs and journalists should have more coordination with the different tiers of government and the donors that could streamline MNCH partnership in post-reform times.
“The importance of CSOs and the journalists as watch dogs of the society cannot be over emphasised considering the strategic role they play in bringing the attention of government to emerging challenges in the health sector,” Abu said.
He enjoined journalists to embrace the new technologies and platforms, think about multiple audiences, work hard to create context for their audiences, smartly balance their time on story choices and audience interactions, spend considerable time building relationships with sources, readers and build connections and teamwork.
“CSOs, journalists you are also charged on the need to promote social accountability in the provision of Maternal Newborn and Child healthcare because you have the much-needed power to ensure citizens are well taken care of,” he said.
Abu revealed that more funding, targeting Maternal and Newborn Child Health is coming into the state.
“We know the areas in MNCH that needs attention and we should be able to advise government on those areas with a view to enhancing MNCH in Bauchi state and the country at large,” he stressed.
He also disclosed that the Global Financing Facility (GFF), that is basket fund coming from both the Federal and State Governments and donor partners, has already been earmarked for Bauchi state to target the all encompassing approach to Reproductive, Maternal, New Born, Child and Adolescent plus Nutrition (RMNCAH+N).
“It is a huge investment for the state in the health sector. The funds utilisation by the government needs to be closely monitored to ensure proper and judicious use,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria Reports that BaSAM is coalition of CSOs, journalists and relevant government officials championing the course of MNCHC supported by Evidence for Action E4A in Bauchi state. (NAN)
MAK/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola