Health budget raise excites Sadc Parliament
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Parliamentary Forum secretary general Boemo Sekgoma has hailed the increase of Malawi’s health budget allocation from eight percent in the last fiscal year to 12 percent in the proposed 2024/25 National Budget, saying it raises hope of meeting the Abuja Declaration.
The declaration to which Malawi is party stipulates that African countries should allocate to their health sectors at least 15 percent of the national budget to achieve universal health coverage.
In an interview on Tuesday after meeting civil society organisations (CSOs) in sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR), Sekgoma said the increase demonstrates Malawi’s commitment to achieving the Abuja Declaration, compared to most countries in the Sadc region that are not doing well on the protocol.
She said: “It is a great stride for Malawi because a lot of times, we have spoken lightly that for us to survive in Africa somebody has to sign a cheque for our own health and that is not really good. So, if we are really serious to continue propelling ourselves forward as countries to meet the 15 percent of the Abuja Declaration it would be a huge success.”
This year, Treasury has allocated K729.47 billion towards the health sector, representing 12.2 percent of the national budget.
Commenting on the matter, Centre for Youth Empowerment and Civic Education (Cyece) executive director Lucky Mbewe said CSOs have been lobbying government to increase funding towards the heath sector, hence this is positive development.
He urged stakeholders such as parliamentarians and CSOs to keep monitoring and see where the 12 percent will be allocated within the health sector.
Said Mbewe: “We would like to ask all concerned CSOs to continue to monitor and check where the 12 percent allocation will go in line with SRHR needs and gaps.”
On her part, Country for the Break Free Consortium representative Judith Pangani also expressed excitement with the development.
She said the uncertainty of resourcing towards the overall national health budget has affected service provision.
Pangani said: “We look forward to the actual and timely disbursement of the allocated budget to the relevant departments and agencies.”
