The Jigawa State Government has launched the enrollment of 400 political appointees into the state’s health insurance scheme, in a move aimed at deepening access to quality healthcare and promoting universal health coverage.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Dutse by Mr Ismaila Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
According to the statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Bala Ibrahim-Mamsa, formally inaugurated the enrollment process into the Jigawa State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (JICHMA) scheme at his office.
Strengthening Health Coverage for All
Mr Ibrahim-Mamsa explained that the initiative was part of a broader effort to strengthen the state’s health system and make it more inclusive.
He noted that the State Executive Council had approved the inclusion of all political office holders in the scheme, and that the JICHMA law had been amended to enable this inclusion.
“We urge all political appointees to enrol within the designated timeframe, as this is critical to expanding the scope of healthcare access across Jigawa,” he said.
To lead by example, the SSG and the Chief of Staff to Governor Umar Namadi, Mujitaba Muhammad, were the first to register in the scheme.
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Extending Coverage to the Vulnerable
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim, highlighted that the exercise also complements existing efforts to cover vulnerable groups in the state.
He revealed that 500 vulnerable individuals from each of the 287 political wards had already been enrolled in the scheme, with their data captured in a centralised digital database.
Logistics in Place for Seamless Enrollment
The Executive Secretary of JICHMA, Pharm. Hamza Maigari, assured that all necessary arrangements had been finalised for the enrollment of political appointees across the state’s 27 local government areas.
He called on the SSG to ensure compliance from all political appointees and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to delivering accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare to the people of Jigawa.
“This is not just about health insurance; it’s about building a resilient system that prioritises the well-being of every citizen, regardless of their position,” Maigari stated.
NAN