By Kamaluddeen Nuhu Ilelah:
Access to healthcare has received a major boost in Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State, as 1,753 vulnerable residents have received health insurance cards under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), a Federal Government initiative aimed at providing free healthcare to vulnerable Nigerians.
The programme is being implemented in Bauchi State by the Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA) to ensure that vulnerable members of the community can access quality healthcare without the financial burden associated with medical treatment.
Speaking during the distribution exercise, the Executive Secretary of BASHCMA, Alhaji Ibrahim Inuwa Duguri, said the state’s health insurance scheme was designed to provide affordable and accessible healthcare through three major sectors: formal, informal and vulnerable.
He explained that government employees are covered under the formal sector scheme, while individuals in the informal sector can access healthcare by making annual contributions.
According to him, vulnerable persons are covered under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, which is funded by the Federal Government and implemented in collaboration with state governments.
Alhaji Ibrahim said the 1,753 beneficiaries would receive free healthcare services at designated primary healthcare facilities, including Duguri, Yelwan Duguri, Gar, Shira, Bajama and Lim Kundak Primary Health Centres.
He said BASHCMA remained committed to ensuring that no resident was denied medical attention simply because of an inability to pay, attributing the progress recorded by the agency to the support of the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
Representing the Emir of Duguri, Alhaji Adamu Muhammad III, the Galadiman Duguri, Alhaji Salmanu Duguri, pledged the traditional institution’s support for the successful implementation of the programme.
He described the initiative as an important step towards improving the health and wellbeing of vulnerable residents by providing them with access to free medical care and medication.
Alhaji Salmanu commended the Federal and Bauchi State Governments for supporting the programme, particularly the inclusion of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
He, however, called on BASHCMA to intensify public awareness campaigns to enable more residents to understand, enrol in and benefit from the healthcare services available under the scheme.
Meanwhile, the BASHCMA team, led by the Executive Secretary, held an interactive session with officers in charge of primary healthcare facilities in the area.
The session focused on effective implementation of the programme, challenges affecting service delivery and measures to improve the quality of healthcare provided to beneficiaries.
The team also examined ways of addressing identified challenges and ensuring that beneficiaries receive timely, efficient and quality medical attention.
The distribution of the health insurance cards is expected to further strengthen access to healthcare for vulnerable residents in Duguri and surrounding communities.
