By Lizzy Carr, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA) is to commence free treatment for some 200 sickle cell patients under the state health contributory scheme.
The Executive Secretary, Dr Musur Dada said the pilot will commence at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital Bauchi (ATBUTH).
Dada was speaking while giving an update on the implementation of the health insurance at a two-day media engagement workshop on health insurance program, which took place in Azare Katagum local government area and organised by USAID funded Integrated Health Program.
He said the support to sickle cell patients is coming from the Bauchi State Health Trust Fund.
The executive secretary said the agency has succeeded in enrolling 43,675 vulnerable persons who are now enjoying free medical attention in their various communities.
“We provide services to 137 vulnerable persons in each of the 323 one main PHC per ward, 26 General and Cottage hospitals and the State specialist hospital under the Basic health care provision fund.”
He added that the agency had also enrolled 2,000 beneficiaries under the save one million lives with USAID ICHSSA-4 providing support for 2000 people.
“This support cover is for children orphaned by HIV/Aids and so far only 707 have been captured, but the agency will continue with the exercise.”
State Director of USAID-IHP, Dr Alhassan Siaka said the media need to increase awareness on the importance of the scheme that will capture all citizens of the state.
“The state has an estimated 5.3 million poor households with only 50,000 of the population are covered by the state health contributory scheme.”
Dr Saika said health insurance is the vehicle to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) thus reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
Also speaking on the benefits of health insurance and the role of media in Bauchi state, IHP Health Financing Advisor, Khalid Hamish said the media could increase the need for enrollment for state insurance scheme.
Representative of Journalists for Public Health and Development, Elizabeth Kah called for more training for journalists to effectively report health related issues.
“To create demand and hold government accountable, the media must be carried along in all aspects of health for better understanding.”
She promised continued committed of the group in promoting and mobilising communities to improve their health seeking behaviours.
