The Niger State Government has announced plans to enrol an additional 65,000 vulnerable residents into its health insurance scheme, describing the move as a major step towards achieving universal health coverage across the state.
A cross-section of attendees at the event.
The Niger State Government has launched a fresh enrolment drive under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), targeting an additional 65,000 vulnerable residents for health insurance coverage across the state’s 25 local government areas.
The BHCPF is a Federal Government initiative established under the National Health Act of 2014 to improve access to quality primary healthcare for poor and vulnerable Nigerians. The programme is financed through at least one per cent of the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund and serves as a key public financing mechanism for the delivery of basic healthcare services.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Minna, the Wife of the Governor, Fatima Bago, said that while the state government has continued to improve hospitals and other healthcare facilities, it is equally important to ensure that residents can access healthcare services without suffering financial hardship.
She expressed confidence that the enrolment drive would provide thousands of vulnerable residents with access to essential healthcare services, describing the initiative as another milestone in the state government’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of its citizens.
Mrs. Bago also commended Governor Umaru Bago for the significant investments and reforms in the health sector, which she said have strengthened healthcare delivery across the state.
She urged traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, healthcare workers, development partners and the media to intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage eligible residents to enrol in the Niger State Contributory Health Scheme (NiCARE).
The Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Murtala Bagana, described the Basic Health Care Provision Fund as a critical tool for expanding healthcare access across the state.
According to him, through the efforts of the Niger State Contributory Health Scheme (NiCARE) and the support of development partners, more than 121,000 residents have already benefited from essential healthcare services.
Bagana noted that the enrolment of an additional 65,000 vulnerable persons marks another significant step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Niger State, while providing renewed hope for families who would now be able to access quality healthcare without financial burden.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger State Contributory Health Agency, Sulayman Abu-Bakr, disclosed that since the commencement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund in the state in 2020, a total of 80,230 vulnerable beneficiaries have been enrolled.
He added that the programme has supported the treatment of over 298,000 malaria cases, facilitated more than 106,000 antenatal care visits and enabled the immunisation of over 68,000 children.
Abu-Bakr commended Governor Umaru Bago for prioritising healthcare, noting that the planned enrolment of an additional 65,000 beneficiaries is the largest expansion of the scheme since its inception and would further improve access to affordable healthcare for vulnerable residents.
Representatives of the National Health Insurance Authority, the World Bank, the Niger State Internal Revenue Service and other development partners delivered goodwill messages, commending the state government’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and pledging continued support for the programme.
The event featured the unveiling of the Wife of the Governor, Fatima Bago, as the NiCARE Ambassador, as well as the inauguration of vice chairpersons of the 25 local government areas as Health Insurance Ambassadors to promote enrolment across their respective councils.
