Bureaucracy, knowledge gaps hindering access to health fund – Epidemiologist
Kano State Health Official Highlights Barriers to Emergency Preparedness Funding
KANO, Nigeria — A senior health official in Kano State has identified several factors impeding access to health emergency preparedness funds, including bureaucratic hurdles, knowledge gaps among stakeholders, and ineffective systems.
Dr. Suleiman Illiyasu, the State Epidemiologist, spoke during a key informant interview conducted as part of a three-day capstone project by Connected Development, through its Follow The Money initiative. He noted that while funds from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) are available at the national level, accessing and utilizing them effectively at the state level poses significant challenges.
“Knowledge gaps among stakeholders are one of the key problems,” Dr. Illiyasu said. He emphasized the need for ongoing training to bridge these gaps across all levels of health administration. Additionally, he pointed out that inadequate coordination and a lack of regular engagement among implementing actors hinder the efficient execution of health financing programs.
“Accessing and utilizing the funds is critical. If individuals are well-trained and understand the system, it becomes easier to operate within it,” he explained.
Dr. Illiyasu also advocated for improved monitoring systems and the implementation of digital tracking tools to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of health funds. “We need dashboards and proper systems to monitor utilization. Often, we are unaware of developments until an official comes for supervision,” he added.
He identified irregular supervisory practices and weak feedback mechanisms as challenges that continue to impede progress. “Whether the funds are utilized or not, without regular supervision and feedback, it’s difficult to enhance the system,” Dr. Illiyasu remarked.
Furthermore, he addressed the issue of bureaucratic delays, citing frequent personnel changes and administrative processes that undermine continuity in health programs. “You may begin working with a system, but changes in key officers can disrupt progress and delay implementation,” he stated.
Despite progress in health preparedness and improvements to emergency response structures, Dr. Illiyasu conveyed that the current level of funding is insufficient to meet the needs of Kano’s growing population. “The funding exists, but it is inadequate. With increasing population and migration into Kano, what we receive cannot fully address emergency preparedness demands,” he said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Gimba, the lead project officer for Connected Development’s Follow The Money initiative, called for enhanced monitoring of BHCPF implementation in Kano State. He asserted that accountability improvements would lead to better health outcomes in local communities.
“The Capstone Projects under Follow The Money 2.0 are designed to track BHCPF implementation and strengthen accountability within the health financing system,” Gimba explained. He emphasized the existing structures supporting health security in Kano but noted the necessity for more attention to ensure that funds reach the intended projects and benefit vulnerable communities.
“We are engaging stakeholders to ensure that health security structures, such as the NCDC gateway and BHCPF mechanisms, are well understood, effectively monitored, and accessible for citizens to track these projects,” Gimba added.
