HSRC, LISDEL Hold Technical Session Towards Validating The BHCPF Accountability Framework

The Health Sector Reform Coalition (HSRC), a coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the health sector, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health with support from stakeholders, developed a harmonized Citizens-led Accountability Framework for the BHCPF with the aim of raising the accountability bar and ensuring efficient utilization of the Fund.

The accountability framework and its corresponding data collection tools were developed based on the BHCPF Implementation Guideline and other protocols designed for the Gateways.

A one-day technical session was organized to deepen the understanding of stakeholders on the harmonized accountability framework, appraisal and secure stakeholders’ buy-in, towards validating the Framework and its tracking tool.

The technical meeting was attended by important actors drawn from both the Federal and State levels. These include the Federal Ministry of Health, BHCPF implementing Gateways, the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the BHCPF and Civil Society Organizations. The Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL), a member of the HSRC provided support.

In his comment, representing the MOC, Dr Okara Dogara reiterated the need to hold government and individuals accountable for their actions and inactions as the BHCPF is being implemented. He stated that the MOC is pleased with the Framework and is willing to support the process and ensure that accountability is mainstreamed in the BHCPF policy implementation.

Dr Gafar Alawode, the Chairman of the Health Financing Unit of the HSRC in his presentation stated that the citizens-led accountability framework is a unique one. According to him the harmonized framework brings together all the existing accountability frameworks developed, digitalized and suitable for use at all levels. He also opined that, mobilizing more funds for health, and achieving more health for the money will be more feasible if the accountability bar is raised.

Other stakeholders present at the workshop also made valuable comments and contributions to the framework. These important comments will be integrated and used to develop the final version of the framework.

A pilot testing of the Framework will be carried out subsequently alongside the tracking tools before the final validation with expanded stakeholders.

By Philip Akoso | LISDEL