Kaduna launches free medication, life insurance for elderly

The Kaduna State Government in collaboration with Servier International and Micro-Ensure yesterday launched hospital cash cover programme for people 70 years and above in the state.

Daily Trust reports that under the programme, the elderly particularly those suffering from diabetes and hypertension would get free medication while bills would be paid for those who are sick and admitted for two to three days in the state government hospitals. In addition to the cash cover programme is a life insurance policy for the elderly.

Launching the programme in Kaduna yesterday, the state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai described it as critical to ensure the health of the aged; saying it was part of the state government’s restoration master plan.

“The elderly belong to the vulnerable section of the population; they have a very weak health system. Unfortunately, at that age, you cannot earn a living. They are therefore in dire need of support,” he said.

El-Rufai who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Jonathan Andrew Nok, stated that to further ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the programme, the state government had concluded arrangement to train 200 doctors in France on modern management of hypertension.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Paul Manya Dogo explained the concept of the programme, saying, “In the restoration master plan, government said 70 years and above will be given free medical care, so that was what informed the age 70. We are hoping that as we start this programme, it will be incorporated into the contributory health insurance scheme.”