Senior Citizens In Bauchi State Get Free Healthcare
The Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency, BASHCMA, says it has enrolled senior citizens under its free healthcare scheme.
The Chairman of the agency, Dr Mansur Dada said the beneficiaries were enrolled across the 20 local government areas of the state.
He said that “some of the beneficiaries had been captured under the basic health provision fund while others were under the informal sector of the scheme.”
According to him, healthcare services providers are offering primary and secondary Medicare services to enhance quality service delivery at the grassroots.
Meanwhile, the Jigawa State Coordinator, National Senior Citizens Centre, NSCC, Mustapha Yakubu says the health component of the social safety net for the aged is yet to begin implementation in the state.
Yakubu said that N20,000 grant would be provided to senior citizens in the state.
He said; “The programme was launched in Niger state sometime in 2022.
“The work plan which is yet to be implemented, the senior citizens are expected to be linked up with the Social Security Programme grant and aid.”
“The senior citizens are yet to be informed about their possibility to join NHIS or the Jigawa State Contributory Health Insurance Management Agency, JICIMA.
“Even though the programme started in October 2022, we hope that good things will come to the senior citizens when it is fully implemented,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu is also the Training and Communication Officer of the State Cash Transfer Unit of the National Social Investment Programme, NSIP.
On empowerment, the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, has trained seven senior citizens on entrepreneurship development in the state.
NDE Coordinator in Jigawa, Mr Miwa Lasco said the training exercise was being implemented in collaboration with the NSCC.
He said the beneficiaries comprising five males and two females received training in weaving, carpentry, leather work, blacksmith, clay pot and basket making.
NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere
