By Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse
The Jigawa state government has received the sum of N554,906,572.19 million for the basic health care under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
The executive secretary/CEO of the NHIS Prof. Muhammed Nasir Sambo stated this on Tuesday at the flag-off of the enrollment for the basic health care provision fund at the Sakwaya health facility, outskirt of Dutse.
Prof. Nasir Sambo said the flagging-off of the scheme marks the commencement of energy which opens the window of succour and new possibilities for the people of the state.
Prof. Sambo noted that section 11 of the National Health Act mandates the establishment of a basic health care provision Fund to support the effective delivery of primary healthcare services as well as emergency medical treatment to all Nigerians.
He said NHIS shall provide state agencies with technical and operational support especially in the areas of training, technology and programme development, adding that the scheme has been repositioned through a 3 point rebranding agenda.
He said the scheme has also developed and began the implementation of a ten year strategic plan that is guaranteed to facilitate universal health coverage by the year 2030.
On his part the state deputy governorMallam Umar Namadi said the state has received the sum of N545.7m from NHIS-GATEWAY for free health care services.
The deputy governor stressed that the bulk of the support will go to the most vulnerable persons that includes pregnant women and people with special needs.
“The Basic Health Provision Fund (BHCPF) will enable vulnerable populations at the 279 designated health centers across the 287 political wards to have access to defined free health care services without having to pay”.
He explained that the amount released will cover 45, 476 beneficiaries based on N12,000 premium per individual, added that each of the 287 political wards in the would have 157 beneficiaries equitably.
The deputy governor stated further that 287 would be reserved for social rehabilitation homes, while urging NHIS to communicate to Jigawa State Contributory HealthCare Management Agency JICHMA on the provisional accreditation of the 279 state PHC facilities participating in the program to avoid delay.
According to him, arrangements are in advanced stage by this adminstration to sponsor the study of 90 female students to study medicine in Sudan, in addition to other 60 male students that are currently studying medicine in the the Republic of China.
Speaking, the Executive secretary Jigawa state contributory health care management agency, Dr. Nura Ibrahim stated that the agency has already validated 120,540 people across the 287 political wards of the state from the state social register who will benefit from the program.
