The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals has urged the federal and state governments to commit at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector, in accordance with the World Health Organization’s recommendation.
According to The PUNCH, this call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day South-West Zonal Leadership Conference of the union, held in Osogbo, Osun State.
The document, made available to journalists on Saturday, was jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Muyiwa Moronkeji, and the Planning Committee Chairman, Emmanuel Ogunbanwo.
According to the union, Nigeria’s persistent underfunding of its health sector has contributed to the systemic challenges and professional imbalance affecting effective service delivery.
“It is alarming that Nigeria continues to allocate far less than the WHO-recommended 15% of its national budget to health,” the communiqué stated.
“We urge the federal and state governments to increase this allocation with transparent monitoring and proper implementation to strengthen the system.”
The union also decried the continued marginalisation of allied health professionals in leadership positions across the sector.
“The practice of reserving top healthcare leadership roles exclusively for medical doctors is outdated and counterproductive,” Dr. Moronkeji said. “There are equally qualified allied health professionals who can competently manage healthcare institutions and contribute to policy development.”
NUAHP called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing an allied health professional as the next Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasizing that inclusive leadership would foster equity and efficiency in the system.
The union further appealed to state governors to consider allied health workers for commissioner roles and other strategic positions within the health sector.
Among other demands, the professionals highlighted the urgent need to address the brain drain crisis, advocating for improved remuneration, regular training, and better working conditions.
“Healthcare workers are leaving the country in droves because of poor welfare and working conditions. If this trend is not reversed through adequate incentives and infrastructure, the future of our healthcare system is in jeopardy,” the communiqué warned.
Participants at the conference, themed “Nigerian Health Care System: The Politics, Policies, and Practice,” also emphasized the importance of upgrading health infrastructure and ensuring access to quality healthcare across rural and urban communities.
While commending security agencies for their efforts, the union called for more strategic interventions to safeguard healthcare workers and facilities, especially in volatile regions.
“These measures are critical to not only protecting the lives of health workers but also maintaining uninterrupted healthcare delivery in high-risk areas,” Ogunbanwo added.
NUAHP reiterated that repositioning the health sector would require collaborative reform efforts across all levels of government and inclusion of all healthcare professionals in decision-making processes.