Yobe enrols 260,000 people for contributory healthcare scheme
The Yobe Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YCHMA), says it has enrolled over 260,000 persons under its contributory healthcare scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr Babagana Tijjani, stated this on Tuesday in Damaturu, at a meeting with officials of the state Ministry of Religious Affairs, preparatory to the inauguration of the Informal Programme in March.
Tijjani said that 200,000 civil servants were enrolled under the Formal Programme, while over 60,000 persons were captured under Social Equity Programme and Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHPF).
He said the agency was targeting over three million people under the informal programme including artisans, farmers, market women, drivers and tricycle operators.
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He said that each beneficiary would contribute N12,000 per annum to enable him to enjoy primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services.
According to him, the aim of the meeting is to seek the clerics’ support in educating the people on the need to key into the programme.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammad Gana, said that quality healthcare service delivery has been a top priority of Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s administration.
Gana, represented by Adamu Zumbo, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the government would channel more funds into the scheme to enhance access to quality healthcare services in the state.
Also speaking, Babagana Mallam-Kyari, Special Adviser to Buni on Religious Affairs, advised the people to disregard misconceptions about the scheme.
“In several instances, Islam has enjoined Muslims to help one another. Therefore, claims that the programme is not permissible is baseless and unfounded.
“To the best of my knowledge, this programme has nothing to do with usury,” he said.
(NAN)
