The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Health Insurance Agency (BNSHIA), Prof. Kenneth Nyinongo Korve, has announced that 58,396 vulnerable individuals in 276 council wards across 23 local government areas have been enrolled in the State Health Insurance Scheme as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs), vulnerable populations, and students with special needs at the rehabilitation board.
According to Prof. Korve, this milestone was achieved through the healthcare provision fund, aimed at accelerating universal health coverage and ensuring good health and well-being for all residents.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the agency’s headquarters in Makurdi, he emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing financial protection, access to quality and affordable healthcare services, and equitable distribution of healthcare costs across different income groups.
He explained that the agency’s services cover the formal sector, informal sector, vulnerable groups, and students, saying So far, three out of 19 tertiary institutions in the state have been enrolled in the scheme. Ongoing advocacy and sensitization efforts aim to draw more institutions and individuals into the insurance net.
“We want to ensure that financial constraints don’t prevent Benue residents from accessing healthcare,” Prof. Korve said. “By enrolling in the health insurance scheme, individuals can access care without worrying about the financial burden.”
The Executive Secretary noted that the agency is consulting with organized unions to enroll public sector employees and local government workers in the scheme. He expressed optimism that the current administration’s commitment to healthcare will facilitate the enrollment of the formal sector.
Prof. Korve acknowledged the support of development partners, including UNICEF and WHO, in the agency’s efforts to improve healthcare outcomes in Benue State.
