From Tongnaan Bawa, Jos
The Director-General of Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), Agabus Mannaseh, said the state government
has allocated the sum of 327 million naira towards bolstering health care.
He said Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in a groundbreaking move was aimed at providing comprehensive health care coverage for the vulnerable and underprivileged residents in the state.
Disclosing this at a Media Interface with the theme ” “Media: A Tool For Sustainable Development” Monday in Jos, the Director-General emphasized the paramount importance of prioritizing healthcare as a fundamental human right.
He explained that the significant injection of funds underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring access to quality healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Agabus Mannaseh said the governor’s proactive measure comes at a crucial time, amidst global health challenges and the imperative to strengthen healthcare infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Mannaseh highlighted the pivotal role of the media in disseminating information about the Health Insurance Scheme, emphasizing its potential as a catalyst for sustainable development in the state.
“His Excellency Caleb Mutfwang approved payment Of the backlog of counterpart fund to the basic Healthcare Provision Fund to the tune of 327 million naira. That was a very great feat. By Law, the states are supposed to pay 25% of the basic healthcare provision fund that comes from the federation account but unfortunately, over the years, these funds were not being paid.
“When we took our advocacy to the governor, he graciously approved it. These funds were deployed to pay premium for the poor and vulnerable individuals across the state. We intend to enroll, especially retirees, because we know that a lot of them are suffering, they fall under the poor and vulnerable in the society. The pregnant women and the internally displaced persons are also not left out”.
He explained that the bold step is expected to alleviate the financial burden on low-income families, empowering them to seek timely medical treatment without fear of exorbitant costs.
He reiterated the agency’s resolve to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds, emphasizing the need for efficient resource management to maximize the impact of the investment.
The DG asserted that the agency has enrolled about 277,862 people into the scheme so far, adding that it has enrollment target of ninety percent by the year 2030.
“Presently, our coverage is put at about 5% and we are expected to reach at least 90% by the year 2030, according to the Sustainable Development Goals of United nations”.
Earlier the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ), Plateau State council Ayuku Pwaspo, appreciated the state government for the initiative.
Pwaspo while acknowledging the achievements of PLASCHEMA so far also called for sustenance of the media engagement.
The Media Interface event provided a platform for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and exchange ideas on harnessing the power of media for advancing healthcare initiatives and achieving sustainable development goals.
Our correspondent reports that the interface is the first of it’s kind since the inception of the Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.