The Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) has enrolled over 280,000 residents into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr Yahaya Ubam, Executive Secretary of the agency, disclosed this at a press briefing on the agency’s activities on Monday in Lafia.
Dr Ubam stated that the number of enrollees, representing 9% of the state’s population, was achieved due to the agency’s efforts to expand healthcare access to residents.
According to him, the achievement puts the state above the national average and fifth best in the country, with the best coverage in the North Central zone, as reported by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in its 2024 fourth report.
The NASHIA boss also stated that the agency has increased healthcare facilities’ participation by bringing on board more healthcare providers.
He said Governor Abdullahi Sule recently launched the Domestic Resource Mobilisation Initiative, aimed at enrolling 250,000 poor and vulnerable citizens into the state health insurance scheme.
He said “NASHIA has partnered with philanthropists, community-based organisations, NGOs, development partners, and institutions to provide unhindered access to underserved populations through adoption programmes.
“Several institutions, including the State Judiciary and the Nasarawa State College of Health Technology Keffi, have partnered with the scheme to strengthen the drive towards universal coverage.
“Community-based organisations and foundations, such as the Mai Kaya Foundation and the Sanusi Ibrahim 14(SI4) foundation, have enrolled and paid premiums for hundreds of enrollees, ensuring that more vulnerable individuals benefit from the scheme.
“Enrollees have access to a wide range of healthcare services, including health education, health promotion, disease prevention, curative, and rehabilitative services. The health benefit package was recently reviewed in collaboration with key stakeholders to improve the state’s health indices, including reducing maternal and under-five mortality rates.
“To ensure adequate supply of medicines and commodities, the agency has aligned its charges and tariffs with those of the Nasarawa Drugs and Supply Management Agency (NASDMA).”
The Executive Secretary said despite the successes recorded, NASHIA was facing challenges, including limited funding, low awareness among informal sector workers, and healthcare facility compliance issues.
He stated that the agency was taking proactive measures, such as regular facility monitoring, disciplinary actions, public awareness campaigns, and exploring additional funding mechanisms.
Dr Ubam emphasised the role of the media in NASHIA’s success, urging journalists to educate the public about the benefits of the health insurance scheme, expose healthcare facility malpractices, and advocate for more funding and support.
He lauded the commitment from the government, support from philanthropists, collaboration with healthcare providers and the partnership of the media, saying it will enable the agency to achieve its vision of “Affordable, Accessible, and Quality Healthcare for All.”
In a remark, Comrade Salihu Alkali, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state, assured that the Union will collaborate effectively to educate the public on the Agency’s activities, particularly concerning healthcare services for state residents.
