Kasim Isa Muhammad
The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency has commenced the enrolment of 30,240 vulnerable persons into the state’s contributory healthcare scheme under the federal government–backed Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
The initiative is aimed at expanding access to essential healthcare services for underserved populations and supporting Yobe State’s drive towards achieving universal health coverage by 2030.
Speaking at the official launch of the exercise on Wednesday, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Babagana Tijjani, said the programme was designed to protect the health and wellbeing of the most vulnerable groups in the state.
According to him, beneficiaries will be drawn from priority groups, including children under the age of five, who make up 35 per cent of the total enrolment; pregnant women (40 per cent); the elderly (seven per cent); persons living with disabilities (three per cent); and indigent persons (14.5 per cent).
He explained that the indigent category covers widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, and individuals living with sickle cell disease.
“This strategic intervention aligns with the vision of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration to build a compassionate and equitable healthcare system that places priority on the needs of our most vulnerable citizens,” Tijjani said.
He disclosed that the enrolment exercise would be conducted across 162 political wards in the state’s 17 local government areas, excluding communities affected by security challenges.
Tijjani added that each ward had been allocated 180 beneficiaries, noting that strict guidelines had been introduced to ensure transparency in the selection process.
“As part of our accountability measures, the National Identification Number verification is compulsory for all beneficiaries to ensure credibility and prevent abuse of the scheme,” he said.
Also speaking during a monitoring visit to some enrolment centres, the Director of ICT at the agency, Malam Saleh Ibrahim, described the programme as a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to inclusive and compassionate governance.
“There is a moral responsibility on government to protect those who are most at risk, and this initiative reflects that commitment,” Ibrahim said.
He further noted that the exercise had received support from traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations, and development partners across the state.
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