Residents of Rorau community in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State have initiated a communal savings scheme to help households meet emergency healthcare expenses and reduce delays in seeking medical attention.
Members of the community contribute small amounts of money regularly into the savings scheme, with the funds made available to households during emergencies.
Some of the residents told reporters on Tuesday in Kazaure that the scheme was providing an alternative source of financial support to families that might be struggling to raise money for medical treatment at short notice.
A resident, Ms Shamsiya Hadi, said the initiative helped community members respond more quickly when someone fell ill.
She said residents contributed according to their abilities, adding that the collective savings made it easier for members to access money during health emergencies.
“Sometimes, sickness comes when a family has no money at hand. With the savings scheme, members can get assistance when there is an urgent health need,” she said.
Another resident, Balarabe Ibrahim, said the initiative had strengthened cooperation among residents while helping families prepare for unexpected medical expenses.
He said members understand that even small regular contributions could be useful during emergencies.
Ibrahim said the initiative also encouraged residents to take collective responsibility for the welfare of vulnerable members of the community.
Also, Hinde Audu said the savings scheme reduced the pressure on families to borrow money when they needed urgent medical attention.
She said some households found it difficult to raise money quickly for transportation, consultation, drugs and other immediate healthcare expenses.
“Having a community savings means that we do not always have to wait until somebody has money before seeking help. The support can come at the time it is needed,” Audu said.
On his part, Mamman Halliru said the initiative had created greater awareness about the importance of saving for emergencies.
Halliru said the community hoped to sustain the scheme and increase participation so that more residents could benefit from it.
He urged government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to strengthen community-based initiatives to help vulnerable households cope with out-of-pocket expenses during emergencies.
“The savings scheme aims to complement, rather than replace, access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
“We urge relevant authorities to continue improving healthcare facilities and services in rural communities to ensure that residents can receive timely treatment during emergencies,” he said.
The community savings initiative reflects growing efforts by rural dwellers to develop local mechanisms for managing unexpected financial pressures, particularly those associated with healthcare.
