Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara on Thursday said 34,000 vulnerable persons would access free healthcare under the state government’s Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF).
Matawalle disclosed this in Gusau at the launch of the programme tagged: “Care for 34,000 Vulnerable Persons”.
“This event marks a significant milestone in our efforts to provide healthcare services to our people.
“The programme will provide 34,000 vulnerable person access to free healthcare services.
” The state government has so far received the sum of N408,000,000.00 from the National Health Insurance Scheme through the Contributory Health Care Management Agency for the implementation of the agreed Basic Minimum Package of Health Services.”, he said.
The governor explained that 231 beneficiaries would be selected from each of the 147 wards of the state based on validation and enrolment into the programme.
“This comprises of 92 pregnant women, 116 children under the age of five, and 23 elderly and physically challenged persons from each ward.
“The beneficiaries will be identified by committees to be appointed by local government councils,” Matawalle said.
According to him, the beneficiaries will access the health care programme without paying a kobo.
“It is our hope that, at the end of three years of this programme, the state will record a significant reduction in maternal mortality rate.
“As part of the efforts of the state government to ensure effective implementation of this programme, the mandatory N100,000,000 counterpart fund has been paid as a pre-requisite for accessing the fund.
“Gladly, the state government has completed the construction of 147 Primary Healthcare Centres across the 147 wards of the state.
“As soon as these centres become operational, our people will have more comprehensive access to primary healthcare services, including the programme we are flagging off today,” he said.
Matawalle said that the establishment of Zamfara Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA) was to reduce difficulties faced by the people in accessing healthcare services in public and private health facilities.
“This is taking into account that the achievement of our policy objectives depends largely on human capacity development, with healthcare as one of the key variables.
“As we know, public healthcare faces numerous challenges in developing counties.
“It, therefore, becomes a matter of utmost priority for both national and sub-national governments in societies like ours to step up efforts in healthcare delivery.
“To this end, my administration will remain committed to providing the necessary support and cooperation to ensure consistent and sustainable healthcare services across the state,” Matawalle said.
The governor urged relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts to deliver the mandate of the programme.
Matawalle appreciated the state House of Assembly, labour unions, Civil Society Organizations, traditional and religious leaders for their continuous support towards achieving the objectives of the programme.
He expressed optimism that the healthcare initiative would be of immense benefit to the people.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Aliyu said the law establishing the agency came into effect in March 2019.
He added that the healthcare programme will reduce out-of-pocket expenses for workers and vulnerable groups in the state seeking health services.
According to him, the secretariat for the agency is being constructed with adequate facilities that would expand the free healthcare coverage.
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The Executive Secretary of ZAMCHEMA, Dr Abdulkadir Aliyu-Shinkafi explained that the beneficiaries were basically stated civil servants, women, children under the age of five, the physically challenged and aged persons.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau, who represented Zamfara Council of Emirs, said the traditional rulers would sensitise their subjects, especially in rural communities on the need to register and enjoy the free healthcare programme.
The emir commended the government for the initiative and expressed optimism that the programme would reach every individual in rural communities. (NAN)
