Citizens groups under the auspices of the Lagos State Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Health have reviewed the Lagos State Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) Accountability framework and monitoring tool with the aim of improving access to quality healthcare services for poor and vulnerable citizens of Lagos State.
The validation workshop organized by the Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) in collaboration with LACSOP also had in attendance officials of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), the Primary Healthcare Board, and leading health-focused CSO groups.
Speaking about the importance of the review of the tool, Programme Manager at LISDEL, Damilola Ademuyiwa, explained that “the accountability framework and monitoring tool are important systems to enshrine the process of accountability which would, in turn, strengthen efficiency, value for money, transparency and ensure there is a full implementation of BHCPF fund in the state.”
Ademuyiwa stressed that “the Accountability framework is a citizen-led framework and it is critical that citizens take active role would take active roles to ensure that public funds are implemented the way they ought to and they achieve the right results and address issues that are prevalent.
“The BHCPF is an opportunity to extend quality health services to more people, particularly the vulnerable, but if accountability systems are not put in place, there is a high chance that the BHCPF will not achieve its purpose, that is why we’re supporting the process of monitoring and ensuring accountability.”
He also noted that the data from the first BHCPF Accountability Framework pilot study was being validated to address any issues from the field before conducting the second pilot.
On his part, Ali Bwala, the Senior Evidence Advisor, Evidence for Action at Mamaye, shared that the accountability tool will help all stakeholders involved to see how they are performing, and put structures in place to ensure things are working effectively.
Bwala stressed that the BHCPF would help to provide health services to the target population that requires charges Citizens groups to support the government with adequate evidence which would inform policy modifications and necessary adjustments to ensure healthcare access to marginalized groups.
Also, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of LACSOP, Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, mentioned that the CSO groups would begin to monitor the implementation of the BHCPF fund and advise the government appropriately, with the aim of ensuring that poor people have access to basic healthcare services.
Adebusoye commended LISDEL for supporting the process and applauded the MDAs for their willingness to ensure health access to different groups in the state.