Kaduna health insurance scheme distributes identify cards to 8,168 enrollees 

The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority, (KADCHMA) has flagged off the distribution of health insurance identity cards to no fewer than 8,168 enrollees across the state.

The exercise and initiative, was in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), a global health organisation committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries.

Flagging off the distribution at Unguwan Dosa Primary Health Care (PHC) Facility in Kaduna, the Director General of KADCHMA, Malam Abubakar Hassan said the contributory health insurance was aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality in the state.

He disclosed that maternal and child mortality is not supposed to be associated with Kaduna state, stressing that government is passionate about the healthy wellbeing of women, children and other residents.

He thanked the state government for the support and other partners in ensuring success of the initiative.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmed mentioned that the initiative was aimed at ensuring that everybody in the state receives or has access to universal health coverage.

Ahmed, represented by Dr Aisha Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Health, explained that universal health coverage entails everybody having qualitative health care services where and when they needed them at affordable price that would not create any form of financial hardship.

“This is a global agreement that every human being is entitled to,” she emphasized.

Speaking further, Aisha said in an attempt by the ministry to ensure everybody receives affordable and quality health care, they conducted evaluation to decide the best possible ways.

According to her, government’s plan was to start by enrolling 20,000 vulnerable persons which include, pregnant women, children, persons with disability, and women, adding that they have more needs than others.

She added that the planned enrollment was in response to the high infant mortality and morbidity rate.

Also, the District Head of Kawo, Kaduna North LGA, Alhaji Jibril Mohammed commended Kaduna state government for the initiative, stressing that it would help health care seekers especially women to access prompt and quality service within their locality.

He said giving birth at home by some women is not something to boast of, adding that there are some services that are required after birth which could only be given in medical facilities.

He urged pregnant women to always go for antenatal care, and children taken for immunisation when the need arises.

Also, Pharmacist Funsho Lewu of CHAI said the health insurance scheme is a beacon of hope and a promise for better health and their collective commitment in ensuring the wellbeing of every person in Kaduna State.

Lewu disclosed that the initiative was a collective reflection of CHAI and the Kaduna State’s resolve to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of health as a fundamental human right.

Some of the beneficiaries, Hauwa’u Musa and Hafsat Ibrahim who are pregnant women, thanked the state government for finding them worthy to be enrolled into the scheme.

They duo pledged to make judicious use of their identity cards for the betterment of their health and that of their unborn babies.