The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) says with an annual contribution of N10,650 an enrollee can enjoy complete one-year quality health services.

Sa’idu Bala, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics of KADCHMA, disclosed this when he led a health insurance awareness campaign to the informal sector to expand access to affordable healthcare.

The News Agency of Nogeria (NAN) reports that the campaign, held on Wednesday in Kaduna and organised in collaboration with Manaal Specialist Hospital, Kawo, also featured the commissioning of a KADCHMA information and enrolment office.

The KADCHMA official said: “Enrollees could access affordable and quality healthcare services for one-year with an annual contribution of N10,650.

“The amount is substantially subsidised through government support to ensure residents access healthcare without experiencing catastrophic health expenditure.”

Bala urged traders, artisans and other informal sector operators to take advantage of the scheme to secure access to essential medical services.

He said the initiative aimed to sensitise informal sector operators on the benefits of enrolling in the state health insurance scheme.

The official said the sensitisation had already yielded positive results, with more than 10 people paying and enrolling immediately after the programme.

He disclosed that a philanthropist from the Kawo community had sponsored 50 vulnerable residents to access free medical services for one year.

The KADCHMA official explained that the scheme categorised beneficiaries into four groups: formal sector workers, informal sector operators, vulnerable population and other eligible participants.

According to him, the vulnerable category comprises people without the financial capacity to pay for their healthcare services.

Bala said health insurance remained a critical pathway to achieving Universal Health Coverage and protecting households from excessive medical expenses.

Earlier, Dr Ishaq Muhammad, Chief Medical Director (CMD) and Chief Executive Officer of Manaal Specialist Hospital, said the new office would bring KADCHMA services closer to residents.

Muhammad said the initiative was designed to reduce the stress of travelling to the Ministry of Health to register for the state health insurance scheme.

He said the office would serve as a branch of KADCHMA, facilitating registration, sensitisation and enrolment, particularly among informal sector operators.

The CMD assured enrollees that the hospital was fully prepared to provide adequate medical care and all necessary healthcare services under the scheme.

He urged residents to take advantage of the opportunity to register and enjoy affordable healthcare services.

Hajiya Hannatu Abubakar-Ladan, Head of Marketing and Business Development of KADCHMA, said the programme was designed to improve public understanding of the scheme.

She said the objectives included educating participants on the scheme’s benefits, eligibility requirements and enrolment procedures.

Ladan said the initiative also aimed to mobilise informal sector groups, including traders, artisans, transport operators, market associations, cooperatives and small business owners.

She identified the commissioning of the KADCHMA information and enrolment office as another key objective of the programme.

One of the beneficiaries, A’isha Muhammad, said the scheme had enabled her to access several healthcare services, including medical scans and blood pressure checks.

She said the services also covered treatment for malaria, typhoid fever and antenatal care for pregnant women.

On his part, Malam Sulaiman Mustapha, Head of Administration and Finance of KADCHMA, appreciated participants and stakeholders for their cooperation.(NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal