Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, on Thursday, inaugurated the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Board to manage the new contributory health insurance scheme in the state.
The governor inaugurated the nine-member board shortly after receiving the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who paid him a courtesy call in Kaduna.
He said that the scheme would ensure universal health coverage and ease the burden on poor people seeking access to health care.
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It is a very important agency of government which would ensure that every citizen of state get universal health services without having to pay out of pocket.
“It is one of our most important agencies and this board was carefully selected to have women and men of integrity and competence to steer the affairs of the authority,” he said.
The governor tasked the board members to deliver on their mandate, so as to ease access to health care by the poor and all other residents of the state.
The News Agency Nigeria reports that Hajiya Saudatu Sani would chair the board, which has Aliyu Saidu as Director-General, and Hassan Lawal-Othman as Secretary/Legal Adviser.
Other board members include, Dr Mustapha Jumare, Zakari Mohammed, Dr Bello Abdulkadir, Sabo Uba, Ibrahim Shehu and Lydia Mabira.
In his comments, the minister commended the state government for the initiative, which he described as unique and historic.
He added that the initiative would take health care delivery in the state to higher level, most especially as those “who patronize health care service don’t have to pay out of pocket.”
According to him, the main challenge facing access to quality healthcare in Nigeria is that about 70 per cent pay from their pocket.
“Therefore when they are ill they stay at home and consult friends and traditional healers instead of visiting health facility.
“This single measure by the state government of improving health care service in the state, to me is critical; and the use of the word universal coverage implies that every citizen will have access to health care and this is commendable.”
The minister described Governor El-Rufa’i as the chief advocate of health care in Nigeria, and urged him spread the gospel to other state governors to take health care to the door steps of all Nigerians.
“I am quite convinced that posterity will judge you rightly and your name shall be written in gold,” Mr Adewale said.
In her remarks, chairman of the board thanked the governor for the appointment and pledged that they would do their best to deliver health to the door steps of all citizens of state.
NAN
