Policymakers call for prioritization of public service delivery ahead of summit

 Allana Kembabazi, Social and Economic Rights (ISER).[Photo, courtesy]

Financing of public services by private sectors has negatively affected the availability and access to quality health and education services in East African countries amidst the accumulating national debts.

Civil society groups have called on the government to ensure equal provision of public services and financing in the country.

During a meeting on May 7 ahead of the UN civil society conference, the policymakers explored the impacts of private sector involvement in social services on human rights.

Representing Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER), Allana Kembabazi called on Kenyan policymakers to ensure public services remain a political priority and to push back against the commercialization of services.

“Member states are spending more servicing debt than on health, education, and social protection. Exponentially rising debt burdens draw away resources meant for public services toward debt repayment and have perpetuated the commercialisation of public services,” said Kembabazi.

According to a report released by ISER, people are increasingly borrowing to meet education and healthcare-related expenses.

“Under the legal and policy framework on Public Private Partnership(PPP) of the study countries, there is no requirement for private investors to take into account human rights consideration in implementation of PPP projects in public service delivery,” read the report in parts.

 The policymakers noted that the government should provide public services and avoid replacing them with private services which are likely to exacerbate inequalities in access to education, especially for children from low backgrounds.

“We need to see bold and intentional political will from all member states. This includes redefining the international tax architecture by supporting the U.N Tax Convention, shifting from regressive to progressive tax regimes, and replacing tax exemptions and holidays with fair taxation of the rich and wealthy to fund public services,” said SalomeTerah, adult education coordinator.

The report further reveals that during the Covid 19 pandemic, the East African countries spent more than 10 per cent of their revenues on external debt repayments.

Johnstone Shisanya of EACHRights noted that  Covid 19 underscored that African states should invest in public services.

“During Covid 19, the public schools were functioning while the private schools were closing to do other business,” said Shisanya.

Commenting on the state of healthcare in the country Mary Nyachae from National Health Insurance Fund emphasized the need to prioritising public healthcare delivery that benefits all citizens.

The policy makers therefore urged the government to strengthen the regulations of private actors in health and education sectors.