The Nasarawa State Healthcare Insurance Agency (NASHIA), says it has targeted twenty percent population coverage of enrollees by 2027.
Acting Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency NASHIA, Dr. Simon Istifanus, stated this during a one-day training and workshop for media in Nasarawa state.
He said, “The state has so far recorded over one hundred and eighty-eight three hundred (188,300) enrollees in about two hundred and twenty-seven (227) healthcare facilities across the 13 local government areas of the state.
“The beneficiaries registered under different packages such as public sector, informal sector, vulnerable and students among others.”
He said the agency is working seriously to includes travellers into the scheme to ensure that they get healthcare services in case of accident and other emergencies.
Dr Istifanus added that the travellers would be required to pay 10 additional per cent to their transport fare which would be built in the money for medical services.
“It is not yet part of our laws, but we are working seriously to amend the laws establishing the agency to capture travellers who are not our enrolling to enable them access service in case of any emergency,” he noted.
He said since the programme was inaugurated in 2019, a lot of the enrolling had benefited from medical services with little challenges which they are working to address.
He also used the medium to call on 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 also lauded Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the support to the agency to achieve the feat it has achieved so far.
He therefore assured that the agency would continue to strive hard towards achieving universal health coverage.
Speaking, Director Health Services of NASHIA, Pharm. Kaki Maikudi, 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, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health Dr Gaza Gwamna, 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, Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, lauded the agency for the engagement and promised the journalists are willing for more partnership.
The workshop had in attendance journalists from prints, electronic and new media, futures questions and answers
