Janet Ogundepo
Families from underserved communities in Abuja have received one year of comprehensive health coverage through an initiative by BAS and ALLY in partnership with the Ojiudu Foundation and the Ojiudu Pride Initiative.
The initiative was part of efforts to improve health access and remove financial barriers that often prevent low-income households from accessing quality healthcare services.
In a statement sent to PUNCH Healthwise, the organisers stated that many families in underserved communities are frequently forced to choose between seeking recommended medical care and meeting other pressing financial needs.
It noted that the initiative will provide beneficiaries with access to medical consultations, diagnostic tests and treatment services for a full year.
Speaking on the impact of the programme, one of the beneficiaries, Salome Sylvanus, said financial constraints had often compelled her to rely on medications purchased from pharmacies instead of seeking comprehensive medical care.
Before receiving the coverage, she said the high cost of hospital visits meant she often had to manage symptoms rather than address the underlying causes of illness.
Another beneficiary, Eunice Martin, described the intervention as a relief from the financial burden associated with accessing healthcare.
“This will help reduce what we spend at the hospital. It changes things,” she said.
For Chidinma Agu, the cost of healthcare had made it difficult to complete recommended medical investigations and treatment plans.
She explained that laboratory tests prescribed during hospital visits often went undone because of financial limitations.
The new health coverage, she noted, would make it possible for her family to access healthcare services from diagnosis through treatment.
“I am grateful to BAS and the team. This means my family can actually get the care we need,” Agu said.
The organisers described the initiative as more than a charitable intervention, noting that it reflects a broader commitment to improving healthcare access for underserved populations.
They said the programme was designed to ensure that beneficiaries have access to accurate diagnoses, appropriate treatments and continuous medical guidance throughout the coverage period.
They further noted that improving access to healthcare would not only benefit individual families but also strengthen communities by enabling parents and children to receive timely medical attention.
The statement further noted that when families are able to access healthcare without financial hardship, the benefits extend beyond the household to schools, workplaces and the wider community.
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