Health Budget Accountability at IBP Peer Learning Exchange in Nairobi - jctr.org.zm

Nairobi, Kenya – The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a prominent Zambian civil society organisation, recently concluded its participation in a crucial International Budget Partnership (IBP) Peer Learning Exchange on Health Expenditure Monitoring held in Nairobi. The three-day forum, which ran from July 21st to 23rd, 2026, convened CSOs from 17 nations, providing a vital platform for sharing best practices and innovative approaches to ensuring accountability and transparency in public health spending across Africa and beyond. JCTR's involvement highlights Zambia's ongoing efforts to strengthen its public financial management systems, particularly in critical sectors like health, where effective resource allocation directly impacts citizens' well-being. The exchange focused on equipping CSOs with enhanced skills and knowledge to monitor government health budgets, track expenditures, and advocate for more efficient and equitable distribution of health resources. Discussions revolved around the critical need for budget credibility, where actual spending aligns closely with approved allocations, a challenge that often plagues low-income countries. Participants explored strategies for analysing budget deviations, understanding the impact of underspending on essential health services, and advocating for timely and consistent disbursement of funds. For Zambia, where health outcomes are directly tied to the efficacy of budget implementation, these insights are invaluable. JCTR has a long-standing history of advocating for social justice and economic accountability in Zambia, with a particular focus on how national budgets affect the poor and vulnerable. Their work often involves analysing budget proposals, monitoring implementation, and engaging with policymakers to ensure pro-poor policies are prioritised. This peer learning exchange provided an opportunity for JCTR to benchmark its approaches against those of other CSOs facing similar challenges, fosteri