The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) has intensified collaboration with the Zazzau Emirate Council to strengthen community engagement and boost enrollment in the state health insurance scheme.
Abubakar Hassan, Director-General of KADCHMA, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli, on Wednesday in Zaria.
Hassan explained that the visit aimed to deepen engagement with traditional institutions, enhance grassroots participation, and improve acceptance of KADCHMA initiatives across communities.
He said partnering with the emirate leadership would create a strong foundation for effective interaction with District, Ward, and Village Heads involved in community mobilization.
“It is important to lay the foundation at the top to enable effective engagement with community leaders on KADCHMA programmes,” he said.
Leveraging Emirate health committee for wider enrollment
According to Hassan, the authority plans to leverage the Zazzau Emirate Council’s Health Committee as a strategic platform to reach community leaders and expand enrollment.
“Through this collaboration, we plan to enhance enrollment by working closely with community structures and deepening engagement with the informal sector,” the DG said.
He noted that the emirate council’s health committee would serve as a model for improving enrollment and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses among residents.
Hassan added that lessons from the initiative would be replicated in other emirate councils and chiefdoms across Kaduna State.
Enrollment at 10% after 6 years
The director-general said that six years after its establishment, KADCHMA enrollment stands slightly above 10 per cent of the state population, with lack of public trust identified as a major challenge.
He, however, acknowledged significant progress in the formal sector and growing interest from informal sector workers.
Hassan attributed the gains to ongoing reforms by Governor Uba Sani aimed at revitalizing primary and secondary healthcare facilities and strengthening human resources for health.
He also announced the appointment of the Emir of Zazzau as Grand Patron of KADCHMA in recognition of his support for healthcare development.
Emir Pledges Full Support via Health Committee
In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau pledged the council’s commitment to supporting KADCHMA through the emirate’s health committee.
“Whenever the need arises, we will assemble the district heads for you; we will talk to them and guide them on your programmes.
“It is easier for KADCHMA to work with the committee than meeting individuals; information shared will be disseminated to all district heads, after which we will monitor and evaluate implementation,” Bamalli said.
The royal father noted that the Zazzau Emirate comprises 35 district heads and more than 2,700 ward and village heads spread across 11 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
He further explained that the emirate established a health committee managed by health professionals to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, improve coordination of health programmes, and enhance data generation and record-keeping.
