The Niger State Government in North Central Nigeria, is set to launch a Contributory Health Scheme.
The scheme will provide quality health care services to residents and reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenditures on healthcare.
The Commissioner for health and Hospital Services in the State, Dr Muhammad Maku Sidi stated this during a press briefing, in preparation for the launching of the health contributory scheme in Minna, the State Capital.
The health Commissioner further said over 50 thousands enrollees including Vulnerable persons and Informal Sectors have commenced accessing healthcare services.
“The essence of launching the scheme is to show the commitment and political will of the Government to the Scheme,and to create awareness for the Scheme and to expand buy-in of all strata of residents into the Scheme,” he said.
Financial Risk
Dr Maku Sidi stated that the Contributory health scheme has been designed to spread financial risk to all members in such a way that the risk would be shared between the healthy and the sick, the young and the aged, the poor and the rich.
The scheme which according to him is mandatory by law, will provide coverage for all Niger state residents regardless of their socioe-conomic status.
“Since its establishment, the Agency has recorded a number of notable achievements development and deployment of the Scheme working documents such as Operational guidelines, Benefit package, Service Tariffs, Treatment protocol, M&E Plan etc.
” Over 116 MDAs, Tertiary Institutions and major Informal Sector Groups have been reached out for sensitization,as well as advocacy visits to all 25 Local government areas, including the Leadership of the Emirate Council in the State,” the Commissioner said.
He however mentioned that the State government under his supervision has accredited 311 health providers both from the public and private sectors.
ICT Platform
The Health Commissioner said the agency, along with an indigenous ICT Consulting firm has developed a robust ICT platform for reporting and respondine to all activities through the Enrollee Activity Reporting System, EARS and Facility encounter reporting device, FERD.
He mentioned that both devices report directly through remote server and are visualised on a dashboard daily.
He added that, “A Call Center Management System (CCMS) has been established which will
operate 24/7 for prompt response to inquiries, referrals, claims management
and monitoring. Call Centre contact is 09 904 1210.
“During the launching, people are expected to purchase multiple Premium Voucher PIN for their families and constituents at N 7,200.00 each.”
Confidence Okwuchi
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