The Kaduna State Government, in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), is working to co-develop a comprehensive strategy to expand health insurance coverage for the informal sector.
The Kaduna State Coordinator for CHAI, Mr Funsho Lewu disclosed the strategic alliance during a three-day dissemination meeting in Zaria on Wednesday.
The event is themed “Expanding Health Insurance to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes.”
Lewu expressed concern over the poor maternal, infant, and neonatal health indices in Kaduna State, in spite of substantial investments in the health sector by the government.
He explained that the partnership aimed to explore opportunities to enrol millions of citizens from the informal sector into the Kaduna Contributory Health Management Agency (KADCHMA).
According to him, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed emphasised that a country’s performance in healthcare was often assessed by its ability to address maternal and child health issues.
Represented by Mr Joseph Sunday, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Ministry of Health, she noted that many maternal and infant deaths were preventable.
“When we continue to see rising figures in infant and maternal mortality, it signals that our health systems are underperforming,” she said.
She added that one of the key goals of KADCHMA was to reduce out-of-pocket expenses associated with healthcare access.
“One major reason people are discouraged from seeking healthcare is the lack of money at the time of illness.
“Many people simply can’t afford treatment when they need it most. It’s even argued that there’s no middle class anymore, you’re either rich or poor,” she said.
In his remarks, the Director-General of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan acknowledged the slow adoption of the programme by the informal sector over the past six years.
He attributed this to lack of awareness, poor communication, and other barriers.
He noted that the meeting had brought together key community stakeholders who would play a vital role in bridging the information gap and scaling up enrolment in the health insurance scheme.
NAN
