The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), has inaugurated an informal sector enrollment campaign into the the state’s contributory health scheme.
The campaign was supported by EngerderHealth Consortium, International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH), Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and Legislative Advocacy Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals (LISDEL).
At the inauguration of the grassroots sensitisation campaign on Monday in Kudan LGA of the state, the Director-General (D-G) of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan, said the authority rolled out the campaign to educate communities on the benefits of enrolling in the health scheme.
According to him, the bold initiative is targeting local stakeholders and traditional leaders to champion the initiative.
Hassan explained that the meeting aimed to secure the endorsement of local government authorities, identify context-specific barriers, foster ownership and shared responsibility for improving community health outcomes.
He lamented the high number of maternal mortality, adding that the N10,650 annual charge fee covers numerous diseases including services such as antenatal till birth, with or without complications.
Hassan further stated that the over 50 women enrollees in the scheme had given birth through cesarean section.
“KADCHMA’s goal is to ensure all residents have access to quality and affordable health services without financial hardship, aligning with the vision of Universal Health Coverage,”he said.
According to him, the initiative promises improved access to quality health services, financial protection, and reduced maternal and child mortality.
Hassan said that its the ultimate goal of making Kaduna state a model for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.
He said that the initiative was part of the Governor’s rural transformation agenda, which aims to cater to the needs of underserved and unserved people, particularly in rural areas.
The director-general emphasised that the government believed that the scheme would provide financial protection and access to quality healthcare for its citizens.
“Health is no longer a previlege in Kaduna state, but a right,” Hassan said.
He, therefore urged the stakeholders to become enrollment ambassadors, with traditional rulers and council members supporting the scheme through community development plans and sensitisation efforts.
Also, the Executive Chaiman of Kudan LGA, Dauda Abba, pledged to enroll 1,000 people in the scheme, with plans to add another 1,000 after successful enrollment.
He also said that he would push an Executive Order to the LGA legislative arm for inputs to make bylaws that would require intending couples to present KADCHMA enrollment cards before wedding.
Abba added that the by-law would equally be ensured that KADCHMA enrollment cards are
required for political aspirants in the LGA in order to support the scheme’s implementation.
“The by-law will require individuals to have a KADCHMA cards before getting married, and individuals before contesting for political positions.
“We are optimistic that the bylaw will be ready within two to three weeks, and forward a copy to relevant stakeholders,”he said.
The chairman, therefore, urged traditional, religious leaders and all other stakeholders to circulate information about the scheme to households and support its implementation.
Halliru Mahmood, the District Head of Kudan, commended the Kaduna State Governor for the scheme, adding that it would provide financial protection and access to quality healthcare for citizens.
He emphasised that enrollment into the scheme, which required a registration fee of N10,650, was a small price to pay considering the benefits it provides.
Mahmood added that the programme would help reduce maternal and child mortality rates, which are significant concerns in Nigeria.
He highlighted the importance of the scheme in providing financial protection for families, particularly those who cannot afford to pay for healthcare services.
The district head believed that the programme was beneficial to the people and it would make a significant impact in improving their health and wellbeing.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders who graced the event were community volunteers and ward development committees, among others.
