Governance
Over 188, 000 qualify to access Health Insurance scheme in Nasarawa says Agency Executive Secretary …as plans are on to enroll travellers into the scheme
By David Okpashi
Nasarawa sttate Health Insurance Said on Friday that over 188, 000 residents in both public and private sectors are now qualified to access the scheme in the state.
This is even as the Agency has completed plans to introduce trivallet insurance for all categories of people in the state.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Simon Istifanus Agency who stated this at a one day sensitization workshop for Journalists in Lafia Friday said the agency is working seriously to increase enrollment of all categories of workers in the insurance scheme
” currently 188, 300, residence have enrolled in the health insurance scheme are benefiting from healthcare services from various medical facilities across the state.
Dr Istifanus disclosed also that the travellers would be required to pay 10 additional per cent to their transport fear for medical services which would be built in the money for the transport fear.
“It is not yet part of our laws, but we are working to amend the laws establishing the agency to capture travellers who are not our enrolled to enable them have access to the service in case of any emergency,” he added.
According to him, since the programme came on board in 2019, a lot of the enrolling had benefited from medical services with little challenges which the is working to address.
He called on the healthcare providers to be professional in thier conduct and give thier enrolling the desired services in order to increase confidence of the people in the insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of NASHIA who commended the state governor, Abdullahi Sule for the supporting the agency also commended spirited individuals who adopted and paid for indigents people in their communities and called on others to emulate them.
On his part, Pharm. Kaki Maikudi, Director Health Services of NASHIA lauded the media for giving publicity to the activities of the agency and appealed that they should do more so that the information would get to all residents of the state.
He added that currently only six per cent of the residents of the state were captured into the scheme and expressed optimism that with the collaboration with the media, the enrollment would improve.
The Director of Health Services of the agency also appealed to politicians especially members of the state and national assembly to pay for enrollment fees for the people of their constituencies as part of constituency project.
Also, Dr Gaza Gwamna, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health commended the agency for the good work they have been doing and the successes archived so far.
The Commissioner represented by Dr Damina John, disclosed that the state government was committed towards achieving universal health coverage by making health accessible and affordable to all the citizens.
In his goodwill message, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists lauded the agency for the engagement and promised the journalists are willing for more partnership.
The workshop which had in attendance journalists from prints, electronic and new media, futures qu