By: John Bassey, Zamfara.

The Contributory Health Care Management Agency has visited five Emirate councils in Zamfara North zone and distributed 20.000 enrollment forms to vulnerable people in five categories, made up of pregnant women, children under the age of 5, women of Childbearing age, the Aged, and people with special needs to benefit from the free healthcare services under the BHCPF program.

Speaking while on a visit to the Emirate councils in the Zone, the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (ZAMCHEMA), Dr. Iliyasu Ahmad Saleh, stated that the exercise targets the underaged children, nursing mothers and pregnant women, elderly persons, as well as persons living with disabilities across the wards in the Emirate councils.

Dr. Iliyasu reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the healthcare agenda of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration, which is focused on providing adequate and improved healthcare services to the people of the state.

He noted that following the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector by Governor Dauda Lawal, the agency has intensified collaboration with relevant stakeholders to achieve the desired objectives.

The exercise is being carried out by relevant agencies with the support of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as part of the government’s commitment to improving access to quality and affordable healthcare for the vulnerable populations across the state.

As contained in a statement by Nasiru Tukur Limatawa, Information Officer of ZAMCHEMA, Dr. Iliyasu further stated that the initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality rates, support the elderly, and ensure that persons living with disabilities receive adequate medical attention without financial burden.

Beneficiaries will have access to essential medical services, including antenatal care, child healthcare services, and treatment of common illnesses at designated healthcare facilities.

The Executive Secretary further disclosed that 400 enrollment forms will be allocated to each ward for distribution to targeted beneficiaries, and that possession of a National Identification Number (NIN) is mandatory to qualify for enrollment under the scheme.

According to him, the per-ward selection targets include:
150 pregnant women
150 women aged 14–49 years
50 children below five years
25 elderly persons aged 65 years and above
25 people living with disabilities.

He went further by saying that each beneficiary is required to photocopy their NIN slip, attach it to the completed enrollment form, and submit it through their respective district heads. He noted that the forms are embedded with security numbers to prevent irregularities in the enrollment process.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Iliyasu said, “This initiative is the first of its kind in the history of Zamfara State, and it is a clear demonstration of the good leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration.”

The Executive Secretary also called on the district heads to remain vigilant in monitoring the utilization of funds allocated to healthcare facilities, particularly in the areas of drug procurement and maintenance of hospital infrastructure.

He urged the people of the state to continue praying for the success of the present administration in order to continue enjoying the dividends of democracy in the state.
The Executive Secretary was accompanied on the visit by the ES HSMB ES primary healthcare Board, Zamchema Board Chairman, top management staff of the Agency, and other relevant stakeholders.