The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), says it is committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UCH) in the state by 2030.
Its Director-General, Abubakar Hassan, made the commitment on Wednesday in Zaria, at a two-day Media Engagement Workshop on state’s contributory health scheme.
Hassan said, ”Achieving UCH by 2030 can be realised if we get it right in 2024. We are strongly determined to achieving this though myriad of initiatives.
”For example, we have introduced the produce-for-health programme where farmers can enroll with only a paltry N10,650 as premium.
”Same goes for various artisans and other low income earners, so that everybody can come on board and have access to affordable healthcare.”
The director-general lamented the spike in the out-of-pocket expenses by Nigerians in seeking proper medicare, saying, ” it is pushing many of the citizens into poverty.”
”So, the essence of contributory health insurance is to pool resources to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable to all.
”I am happy the National Health Insurance Act, 2022, has made health insurance mandatory in Nigeria. The media plays critical role in shoring up the awareness of Nigerians in this direction.
”The media must sensitize Nigerians on the law and the myriad of benefits of the health insurance scheme,” Hassan said.
He recalled that the authority was established in 2018 with the mandate of providing access to basic, quality and affordable healthcare to all the residents of the state towards achieving UCH.
Hassan said,” The authority is one major driver to mobilize and strategically manage resources for health with the objectives of improving health indices and outcomes in the state.
”In order to achieve these efforts, the media has a critical role to play in raising public awareness increasing enrollment, ensuring transparency and accountability in the operationalisation of policy actions.
”The authority seeks to leverage this major platform and in shaping public perception about the scheme, disseminating information and engagements with stakeholders for better understanding and increased enrollment of residents of the state.”
The director-general added the workshop would come up with workable strategies to support the effective implementation of the scheme’s operations with a view to achieving its mandates,” Hassan added.
In a goodwill message, the Chairperson of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Asam’u Yawo-Halilu, commended the authority for organising the workshop for the members of the union.
She said,”Health insurance is an important scheme that all must key into and the media will promote the activities of KADCHMA.
”We will also make efforts to ensure that our members enroll into the scheme and we will do more to ensure that people of the state enroll into it.”
The workshop is being attended by the representatives of various media organisations in the state and other partners of the authority.
