Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
The Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency, has enrolled over 138,000 beneficiaries, including children, elderly, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups into the state’s health insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Pharm. Jacobs Akenzukpi, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Jalingo.
He said that the Agency is responsible for providing free healthcare to the poor and vulnerable.
On the sensitization about the Agency, he said, “We have been creating awareness through Social Media, Print, Radio Television and local medias. People welcome us and are happy with the activities of the Agency. Churches and Mosques are part of those we sensitized.
“We have enrolled 138,000 beneficiaries under the Basic Health care provision targeting at the vulnerables. We are second in the North East in terms of Health care provider.
He said that the provision is done with the State and Federal Governments “As I speak to you now, the process is ongoing.”
Pharm. Akenzukpi specify the requirements to be a beneficiary to include the poor, children under five years, pregnant women and people living with disabilities. In
Others are, Mentally challenge and Displaced people as a result of crises.
“About 78% of people in Taraba State classified as poor, according to the statistics of the North East. In the North West, the statistics is 80%. We are saying that most of our people are poor, so those are the people that should benefit from the program.
According to him, Taraba State has set an ambitious target to increase health insurance coverage to at least 70% of the State’s population by 2030, as stakeholders intensify efforts to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Executive Secretary appreciates the Taraba State Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas for supporting the Agency Financially and giving approval for the implemention of the formal sector that addresses the Civil Servants.
“It is expected that all Civil Servants in the state should enroll in the Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency, were little deductions will be made from their salaries for the provision of Health Insurance from primary to tertiary as the case maybe – he said.
According to him, the state has over 30,000 Civil Servants, apart from that of Local Government level that will be enroll the program which includes, their Wives and Children.
“We are targeting 80,000 beneficiaries under the program. We have enrolled more than 500 students of College of Nursing Science and we are discussing with the Taraba State University, which we are targeting over 20,000 to enroll under Health Insurance called “Tertiary Health Insurance program.”
On challenges, the Executive Secretary pointed out that the major challenge is a communication gap between the Agency and beneficiaries, but work is in progress.
“Most of the people are not aware of what is happening, so we take the awareness to all nooks and crannies. Some want it in their local languages – he stated.
During a courtesy visit to the Chief Medical Director of the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Wukari, Prof. Ayuba Dauda Madachi, and the hospital management, seek a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening healthcare service delivery for enrollees across Wukari and its environs for referrals.
He highlighted the presence of its enrollees across the ten political wards in Wukari, where Primary Healthcare Centres currently provide basic healthcare services. However, cases requiring advanced medical attention such as surgeries, hypertension, diabetes and other specialized treatments often require referral services to secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities beyond the capacity of primary healthcare centres.
Recognizing the importance of accessible and quality healthcare, the Agency proposed a collaboration that would enable enrollees to access secondary and tertiary healthcare services at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari.
Prof. Ayuba Dauda Madachi and the hospital management warmly welcomed the initiative and expressed their willingness to partner with the Agency. Principal staff members from the hospital’s Health Insurance Department also participated in discussions on the modalities and necessary preparations toward the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“This partnership, when finalized, will further ensure that residents can conveniently access quality healthcare services within their locality without the need to travel long distances for advanced medical care.
The Executive Secretary said that during a working visit to the College of Nursing and Midwifery, he strengthen collaboration on students’ health insurance and assess healthcare service delivery within the institution to discuss students’ enrolment, clinic accreditation, funding challenges, and ways to improve access to quality healthcare.
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the College and engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the programme and improved healthcare services for students.
He announced plans to enrol staff of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency (TSESA) into the state’s health insurance scheme as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.
Akenzukpi commended the agency for its dedication to maintaining a clean and healthy environment across Taraba State, describing its workforce as critical to public health and deserving of adequate healthcare coverage.
He explained that the health insurance package provides access to healthcare services beyond the primary level, extending to secondary and tertiary health facilities to ensure comprehensive medical care for beneficiaries.
According to him, the agency has already enrolled more than 138,000 beneficiaries across health facilities located in all wards of the state. He noted that the planned enrolment of TSESA staff aligns with Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas’ commitment to improving access to affordable and quality healthcare for all residents of Taraba State.
Responding, the Chairman of the Taraba State Environmental Sanitation Agency, Illiya Kefas Alhaji, welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation to the health insurance agency for extending the programme to the agency’s workforce.
He assured the Executive Secretary of the agency’s full cooperation to ensure a seamless enrolment process for all eligible staff.
“The Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency (TSCHIA) has begun the enrollment of children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups into the state’s health insurance scheme at PHCC Sabon Gari, in a move aimed at expanding access to free and quality healthcare services across the state.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
