DIG Trains CSOs On Budget Participation In Ebonyi

BY NDUBUISI NWOGHA, ABAKALIKI

In their effort to improve health sector in Ebonyi state,a non governmental organization known as Development and Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation,DIG, has organized a two days orientation training curriculum for civil society organizations across the three senatorial zones in the state. The two days training took place between 17-18 December,2021 in Geneza Hotel,Onwe Road, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

According to the state Leadership and Governance Advisor IHP USAID Integrated Health Programme, Mrs Ikwuakor Chinyere Geraldine noted that the essence of the training is for stakeholders of civil society organizations to be deeply involve in budget planning as to contribute to the development of the health of their people. Ikwuakor emphasized on the need for civil society groups across the three senatorial zones to be part of the state budget planning until implementation knowing that they have great role to play including influencing political office holder to ensure approved projects are completed accordingly and timely delivered. "The essence of this two days training for some stakeholders of different civil society organizations across the three senatorial zones in the state is for them to get involve in issue of health improvement especially as it concerns community participation or citizen engagement. "This means involving citizenry in the budget designing, planning, implementation, as well as, monitoring of health projects. She commended the state government in their contributions towards improving health sector and added that it behooves on the citizens to know that they have the right to enquire about the health services improvement in their communities. "As we all know, our health sector is not yet where it suppose to be but must commend the state government for their efforts. "So, citizens as we know must know that they have the right to ask questions on issues concerning health and also have a role to play in terms of ensuring that the health sector is been improved at the community level where the facilities are situated. "With this training it will not only make them to have better understanding of their role but also to know about the things happening around them as far as health improvement is concern. "Therefore, left for them to go to their communities and facilities and begin to ask questions and hold service providers accountable, as well as, mobilize resource Within the community to improve health facilities. The state Leadership and Governance Advisor Integrated Health Programme challenges the participants to be up and doing so as to repose confidence on the people to the use of almost abandoned public health facilities. Other participants who spoke on the end of the programme including representatives of Ward Development Committee from Ebonyi Central and Southern zones appreciated USAID and her partner foreign NGOs for their continuous support to the improvement of health sector in Africa countries and assured them of putting into use the wealth of knowledge gained during the exercise.