Nasarawa govt allocates counterpart funds for state health insurance
Governor Abdullahi Sule has approved ₦500 million as the counterpart fund for the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, NASHIA, for the 2024 fiscal year.
The allocation is intended to provide affordable healthcare services to the residents of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, announced the approval during the launch of the NASHIA enrollment exercise for Judiciary staff in Lafia.
Gwamna revealed that ₦250 million had already been released to ensure that enrollees in the state’s health insurance scheme have access to healthcare services across all facilities in the state.
The remaining ₦250 million will be disbursed soon.
He assured enrollees of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, stating that they can seek care at any chosen medical facility without worry.
“We are committed to ensuring better healthcare services, as such, you have nothing to worry about and you can seek care in any of your chosen medical facilities anytime,” he added.
Dr Gwamna commended Justice Aisha Bashir, the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State; Jimoh Musa, State Chairman of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), and other stakeholders for their efforts in facilitating the enrollment of judiciary staff into the scheme.
The commissioner explained that only three percent of civil servants’ salaries are deducted from the insurance scheme, with the state government providing the counterpart fund to augment the amount payable by each enrollee.
He encouraged enrollees to report any instances of poor service delivery to the agency for prompt action.
“Despite the increase in the cost of healthcare services, only three percent is deducted as a contribution for the insurance because of the government’s commitment to the health of our people.
“You should know your rights and entitlements and always speak out when they are denied by any service providers,” he said.
On his part, Dr Yahaya Ubam, Executive Secretary of NASHIA, revealed that over 87 percent of civil servants in the state have already enrolled in the scheme.
Ubam stated that enrollment is mandatory for all civil servants and called on private individuals, groups and politicians to register indigent people in their areas to support the government’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage.
