Category: Reports

Date: 7th August 2024

Organizers: DIG

Theme: Green The Red Cluster Learning Event

Introduction

Welcome remarks were delivered by the DIG Foundation, followed by an address from SCALE. The agenda for the event was reviewed, setting the stage for discussions.

Objective

To share experiences on Green The Red Community-Driven Development (CDD) generating activities for 2025 Budget citizen input.

Overview of the Green The Red Project

The Green The Red project is a cluster learning initiative formed by a group of eight advocates working to improve budget releases for the health sector.

Key Focus Areas

Green The Red is particularly interested in engaging with key health agencies, including:

• Ministry of Health, Ebonyi
• School of Health, Mgbo
• School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uburu

Project Achievements

• Expanded operations in Community-Driven Development (CDD).
• Reached 35 communities across all 13 local government areas in the state.

Way Forward / Outcome

A town hall meeting will be scheduled with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), where individual NGOs will present their CDD initiatives.

Date: 29th July 2024

Anchor: DIG

Organizer: Green The Red (Health Sector Cluster)

Summary

The Health Sector Cluster Meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in the industry. While the discussions were productive, several participants shared additional concerns off-camera regarding challenges in the sector.

Key Issues Raised

1. Misallocation of Government Funds

Many attendees expressed concerns that government-released funds are often directed to the wrong areas, leading to a lack of visible impact on the healthcare system.

2. Inadequate Media Coverage

Participants highlighted that critical health and budget implementation issues do not receive sufficient attention from the media, making it difficult to hold authorities accountable.

Recommendations

1. Regular Breakfast Meetings

Mr. Israel, a representative from the press, suggested that DIG and the Health Sector Cluster should hold monthly breakfast meetings to encourage open discussions and collaboration on health sector issues.

Action Items

• Implement Regular Breakfast Meetings – DIG and the Health Sector Cluster to consider organizing monthly breakfast meetings for ongoing discussions.
• Address Government Fund Misallocation – Explore ways to ensure better allocation and transparency in government healthcare funding.
• Enhance Media Engagement – Work with the press to improve media coverage of health and budget implementation issues.

Next Steps

• Schedule a follow-up meeting to review progress on the action items.
• Continue efforts to address the challenges raised and ensure the sustainability of ongoing and future initiatives.