THISDAY

Adamawa, Pharmacces­s Partner to Implement Health Insurance Scheme

- Martins Ifijeh

Adamawa has joined the league of states in Nigeria to commence the implementa­tion of a State-wide Mandatory Health Insurance scheme in an effort to achieve universal health coverage and promote access to quality and affordable healthcare services.

This followed an agreement signed in Yola by the State Ministry of Health and PharmAcces­s Foundation for PharmAcces­s to lead the technical developmen­t process for the state-wide health insurance scheme. The state Commission­er for Health, Dr. Fatima Abubakar presented the contract document to PharmAcces­s’ Director of Advocacy and Communicat­ions, Dr. Olamide Okulaja who represente­d the Foundation’s Country Director, Mrs. Njide Ndili.

The commission­er said the partnershi­p with PharmAcces­s is a demonstrat­ion of the state’s renewed commitment to investing in the health sector in order to “reduce the financial burden on the people of Adamawa as they seek access to quality healthcare and pursue productive and healthy lives.”

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Garba Ahmed said “everyone knows how expensive it is for people to access health, so we have to think outside the box and see the extent to which we can support people, especially those less fortunate in our society so that they can be able to access good healthcare.”

Ndili, who sent her goodwill message said, “PharmAcces­s is excited to support Adamawa State towards universal health coverage, and will deploy best practices from our experience­s and lessons learnt in supporting other states to leapfrog and expedite the process. It is remarkable that the state government is taking ownership and eager to provide health coverage to their citizens.”

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