By Marsha Sengwe
PARLIAMENTARIANS, media practitioners and representatives of civil society organisations met recently in the capital to consider methods to improve local health financing mechanisms.
The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH), which emphasised that raising domestic funds was essential for universal health coverage and economic growth, organised the meeting.
Speaking during the meeting, Itai Rusike, CWGH Executive Director, said: “A healthier people are wealthier and more productive.”
The meeting saw participants calling for the formalisation of the informal sector so that the small to medium scale entrepreneurs in the sector are also roped in to contribute towards the AIDS Levy.
Health stakeholders at the meeting encouraged members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance to come up with methods to finance the health sector instead of depending on donor funds, since at some stage the donors could decide to stop funding projects in the country.
They also asked the National AIDS Council to publicise its AIDS Levy end of year report, showing how much was collected and what it was used for.
They agreed that initially soon after introduction of the levy the statements were publicised every year.
Albert Manenji, the NAC Finance Director, who was at the meeting, said he was going to relay the plea to his board for deliberations.
He hailed professionals whose contributions to the AIDS Levy had saved many lives.
He also hailed the Government for not interfering with the levy.
