Towards ensuring a healthier Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme, FHIS, has called for a legislative support to enforce mandatory enrollment for all, especially for those in the informal sector .
The call form part of the list of issues listed as, “Call to Action” by the Mandate Secretary FCT Health Services And Environment Secretariat, HSES, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe during a road walk show to mark the International Universal Health Coverage day in Abuja.
Dr Fasawe represented by the Permanent Secretary, HSES, Dr Babagana Adams explained that with mandatory legislative support, FHIS, will be able to surpass it target for 2025, just like it has surpassed its 25,000 coverage target for 2024 by over 11000 as at November this year.
Dr Fasawe also called for more investment in revitalizing Public Health Infrastructure like the Primary Healthcare Centers, PHCs, towards expanding affordable healthcare access for more residents.
Other areas of concern includes support for digital innovations in health, provision of equity fund (2℅ CRF of the FCT) for the enrollment of the poor and the vulnerable, addressing the HRH gap at all levels of Care, as well as tackling insecurity challenge in the rural areas.
The road walk with the theme: “Health: It’s On The Government” is meant to encourage all residents of FCT to key into the health Insurance scheme of government to enable them and their family members access the benefits that abounds in the scheme.
Dr Fasawe tasked all stakeholders comprising the Government, Insurers, healthcare providers, partners and individuals to synergize and be committed to delivering a more equitable, affordable, quality and effective healthcare for all citizens.
“With the support of our talk- and- do Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, all the claims by our HMOs, by our health facilities have been totally paid for this year. Because the whole essence of UHC is to see that no one is left behind,” Fasawe said.
Dr Fasawe also urged patients to know their rights, and report to the SERVICOM Deck of FCTA whenever any of the hospitals attempt to collect money for services that is covered by insurance.
On her part, the Acting Director FHIS, Dr Salamatu Belgore, who pointed out that health is not a privilege but a fundamental human right, noted that the responsibility of achieving Universal Health Coverage fundamentally rest with our government.
Dr Belgore maintained that, “No- one should be pushed into poverty when accessing healthcare service ” due to overwhelming out- of- pocket- spending.
“Investing in UHC enhances equity social cohesion while benefiting national economy by improving health and well – being, increasing workforce participation and productivity, and building resilience in individuals, families, and communities.”
Dr Belgore stressed the need for collaboration among all stakeholders towards achieving the goal of providing quality affordable healthcare for everyone, no matter who they are, or where they live.
“In Nigeria, Out-of – Pocket spending remains high, and consistently over 75℅ in the past 4. UHC for all Nigerians’ is the vision of the current National Policy(2016).”
The awareness road walk show which started at the Federal Secretariat with distribution of fliers and sensitization of residents on the urgent need to insure their health for a healthier future, terminated at the APDC Building in FCDA Secretariat premises.
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