The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has enrolled 97,000 beneficiaries under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance access to quality healthcare services.
Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr. Abbah Saleh-Kaza, disclosed this on Monday in Maiduguri during the agency’s 2024 Performance Review exercise. He noted that over N1.2 billion had been disbursed to primary healthcare facilities in the last three years.
According to Saleh-Kaza, the agency prioritizes family health services, with pregnant women and children accounting for over 50% of the enrollees.
“Reducing maternal mortality is a priority for us. So far, we have enrolled 22,000 pregnant women and 14,000 children into the scheme. We remain committed to ensuring quality healthcare for mothers and children in the state,” he said.
He highlighted the impact of the N1.2 billion capitation payment on primary healthcare services, emphasizing its role in improving service delivery.
“In 2024 alone, the state government allocated N699 million for capitation to primary healthcare centers. Since the inception of BHCPF, we have ensured timely payments, even in the absence of federal funds. In January and February 2024, we successfully paid the first-quarter capitation despite delays in federal releases. BOSCHMA also disbursed over N40 million in fee-for-service payments to 172 secondary healthcare facilities—up from N20.5 million in 2023 and just N600,000 in 2022,” he stated.
Saleh-Kaza further noted that the introduction of an electronic referral system has significantly improved healthcare efficiency, with N300 million earmarked for referrals in 2024.
“We are committed to utilizing at least 50% of these funds to enhance healthcare delivery, ensuring seamless referrals between primary and secondary healthcare facilities,” he added.
On health conditions treated under the scheme, he disclosed that about 15,000 enrollees received care for malaria, hypertension, diabetes, dental, and ophthalmic issues. He also highlighted the rising prevalence of mental health cases, prompting a partnership with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.
“One of the challenges we face is the increasing number of mental health cases. We are working to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital to ensure patients receive the best possible care,” he explained.
Saleh-Kaza identified poverty as a major barrier to accessing healthcare in Borno, stressing the need for expanded coverage to reach vulnerable populations.
“Our state remains one of the most impoverished in Nigeria, and we must do more to ensure that everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable, has access to quality healthcare. This is not just a healthcare issue; it is a humanitarian one,” he said.
While soliciting more funding, he reaffirmed BOSCHMA’s commitment to expanding its services to improve healthcare accessibility.
“Although we have made significant progress, we still have a long way to go. Our aim is to increase enrolment and meet the healthcare needs of all residents,” he stated.
He commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his unwavering support in strengthening healthcare services in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Muhammed Guluze, Permanent Secretary, Administration, Government House, Maiduguri, underscored the importance of the review exercise in improving health outcomes.
Ahmed Jamal, Secretary of the National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), lauded BOSCHMA for achieving 97% of its healthcare goals. He emphasized the crucial role of the state government in ensuring the success of health programs and called for greater stakeholder engagement to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
