The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Sokoto State Government’s Hospitals have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to reduce maternal Morbidity and mortality across the state.
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Speaking shortly after the signing ceremony, the NHIA Ag. State Coordinator, Dr Aminu Shehu, expressed concern over the alarming rate of pregnancy-related death in the state.
He said the idea was part of federal government initiative to reduced the cases of maternal mortality to the minimal level in the country.
” This initiative aimed to lower Morbidity and mortality rates and improve maternal health indices among women of child-bearing across the state.
” Therefore I encourage women with the obstetrics cases to visit any of the selected hospitals across the zones to access the service,” he said.
According to him, one hospital was selected from each of the state’s three senatorial zones for the pilot phase.
The Ag. State Coordinator who spoke through the NHIA’s Focal Person for Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics Care ( CEmOC) Sokoto, Dr. Abdulkadir Hassan, said the chosen hospitals include Specialist Hospital in Sokoto Central Senatorial zone, while General Hospital Tambuwal in Sokoto South zone and Illela General Hospital in Sokoto East Senatorial zone.
Dr. Abdulkadir Hassan said that, the CEmOC program has already commenced in two other Hospitals in the state including Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital and Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto and many women have already benefited were they had caesarean sections and other treatments free of charge. This was inline with the Mr. President Agenda as being Directed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate through the leadership of Director General NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri.
“pregnant women with any Pregnancy related condition can access free Obstetrics services with NHIA covering all the bills.
” The programme covers a wide range of service including surgical procedures, medical treatments and diagnostic tests all provided free of charge.
” After delivery, the mother with obstetric case would be automatically enrolled in the Health Insurance Scheme for continued healthcare access,” he added.
Also in his remarks, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr Faruk Umar Wurno, said the idea was part of the federal government commitments to partner states in providing free obstetrics services across the country.
He said the formula was designed as a pilot project where by health institutions with the highest number of cases of maternal and infant mortality were carefully selected from the state’s three senatorial zones.
” I encourage all the selected facilities to ensure transparency and accountability while discharging their assigned responsibilities for smooth and effective operation of the MoU,” he charged.
The Commissioner urged the women with obstetrics cases to visit the selected hospitals and utilise the opportunity of free services.
Also speaking, the NHIA’s Focal Person for Vesico-Veginal Fistula (VVF), Nurse Maryam Aliyu, revealed that in another program of NHIA, Free Fistular Program(FFP) over 200 VVF Patients have been treated enrolled in the health insurance scheme of through BHCPF.
“Under FFP the beneficiaries receive feeding throughout their stay in the Hospital, transport fare as well rehabilitative, after which beneficiaries will be enroll in the health insurance to access care at the hospital of her choice,” she added.
Maryam Aliyu reiterated the NHIA’s more commitments to partner the state government to ensure timely treatment of the disease to address maternal and infant mortality in the country especially Sokoto State.
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