Case study in detail
Overview
the
When these figures were presented at the
concentrated in training and workshops,
2008/2009
Health Sector Review, which is attended
while other categories saw increases. In
budget after the latter was tabled in Parlia
by government, donors and CSOs, officials
2010/2011 there was a nominal increase
ment, and coined the term “unnecessary
were extremely displeased. However,
in total unnecessary expenditures.
expenditures” to describe budget lines for
the issue got the attention of the Prime
such as travel and sitting allowances. For
Minister, who announced the following
that year, Sikika found that in the health
month that future government spending
When
sector alone 22.6 billion Tanzanian shillings
on workshops and seminars would need
effectively realize people’s rights are
(Tshs)(approx. US$ 18.6 million) had been
to be approved by his office, and that
not available in sufficient quantity
allocated for allowances, Tshs 3.9 billion
restrictions would be placed on purchases
(for example, essential medicines),
(US$ 3.2 million) for workshops and
of new vehicles. The Budget Guidelines of
spending on non-essential items
training, Tshs 1.6 billion (US$ 1.3 million)
February 2009 included a special section
constitutes a failure by government to
for overseas and local travel, and Tsh 6.0
that called for spending cuts on training,
use the maximum available resources
billion (US$4.9 million) for vehicles – for a
workshops, travel and vehicles.
to realize ESC rights. Government
Sikika
examined
Tanzanian
allocations
Government’s
in
total of Tshs 34.2 billion (US$ 28.2 million)
in “unnecessary expenditures.”
items
that
directly
and
must monitor expenditures to ensure
Sikika
Sikika’s subsequent analysis showed
that funds in the budget are being
argued that this money should be allocated
that in 2009/2010 overall allocations to
used first and foremost for items
to items that would more effectively
“unnecessary” categories decreased by
essential to the realization of ESC
improve health care.
22 percent. However, the decrease was
rights.