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Dr Simon Istifanus, Acting Executive Secretary of Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) says the agency is working seriously to includes travellers into the scheme to ensure that they get healthcare services in case of accident and other emergencies.
The Acting Executive Secretary made the disclosure at an engagement to update journalists on the successes and challenges facing the agency on Friday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
Dr Istifanus added that the travellers would be required to pay 10 additional per cent to their transport fear for medical services which would be built in the money for the transport fear.
“It is not yet part of our laws, but we are working seriously to amend the laws establishing the agency to capture travellers who are not our enrolling to enable them access service in case of any emergency,” he added.
The Executive Secretary added that currently 188, 300, residence have enrolled in the health insurance scheme and are benefiting from healthcare services from various medical facilities across the state.
He added that the beneficiaries registered under different packages such as public sector, informal sector, vulnerable and students among others.
He said since the programme was inaugurated in 2019, a lot of the enrolling had benefited from medical services with little challenges which they are working to address.
He also used the medium to call on healthcare providers to be professional in thier conduct and give thier enrolling the desired services in order to increase confidence of the people in the insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of NASHIA also lauded Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the support to the agency to achieve the feat it has achieved so far.
He also commended spirited individuals who adopted and paid for indigents people in their communities and called on others to emulate them.
He therefore assured that the agency would continue to strive hard towards achieving universal health coverage.
On his part, Pharm. Kaki Maikudi, Director Health Services of NASHIA lauded the media for giving publicity to the activities of the agency and appealed that they should do more so that the information would get to all residents of the state.
He added that currently only six per cent of the residents of the state were captured into the scheme and expressed optimism that with the collaboration with the media, the enrollment would improve.
The Director of Health Services of the agency also appealed to politicians especially members of the state and national assembly to pay for enrollment fees for the people of their constituencies as part of constituency project.
Also, Dr Gaza Gwamna, Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health commended the agency for the good work they have been doing and the successes archived so far.
The Commissioner represented by Dr Damina John, disclosed that the state government was committed towards achieving universal health coverage by making health accessible and affordable to all the citizens.
In his goodwill message, Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists lauded the agency for the engagement and promised the journalists are willing for more partnership.
The workshop which had in attendance journalists from prints, electronic and new media, futures questions and answers. (NAN).
END.
