By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Contributory Health Insurance Agency (SOCHEMA) has received a N132 million counterpart fund from the Sokoto State Government, marking the first such release since the agency commenced operations.
The agency has also received an Award of Excellence for its performance in expanding and strengthening contributory health insurance services in the state.
SOCHEMA Director-General, Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, disclosed this during a media briefing in Sokoto.
Abubakar said the award, presented in Abuja by the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria, recognised the agency’s performance and the state government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare.
According to him, the institute had monitored the development of contributory health insurance schemes across the country and acknowledged the transformation recorded in Sokoto.
“They have been tracking what has been happening in the state contributory health system for years, and during this administration, they have seen the kind of transformation taking place,” he said.
The Director-General attributed the recognition to SOCHEMA’s emphasis on transparency, stakeholder engagement and sustained advocacy on the importance of health insurance.
He said the agency was particularly commended for securing government support and ensuring that relevant stakeholders were involved in implementing its programmes.
“We were commended for convincing the government and ensuring that everybody was carried along in the process. The governor was also courteous enough to release the funds immediately,” Abubakar said.
SOCHEMA Moves to Expand Student Health Insurance
On the enrolment of students, Abubakar said the law provides for the head of a school clinic to chair the institution’s health committee.
He explained that the committee should include the Students’ Union Government president and representatives of the bursary, institution’s management and SOCHEMA.
According to him, the committee is responsible for taking decisions relating to the operation and development of the school clinic.
Abubakar identified misconceptions about contributory healthcare as one of the major challenges confronting health insurance schemes in northern Nigeria, particularly Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
He said the agency was intensifying public enlightenment to encourage individuals and organisations to embrace health insurance rather than waiting until illness occurs before raising money for medical treatment.
The Director-General added that beneficiaries are encouraged to select healthcare facilities close to their homes, taking into consideration proximity and available services.
Addressing complaints about drug availability, Abubakar said the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has an approved list of medicines covered under the scheme.
He said healthcare providers were being trained to prescribe drugs within the approved list to prevent misunderstandings among beneficiaries.
“If a doctor prescribes a drug outside the approved list, the beneficiary will be told it is not covered. That sometimes creates the impression that they are being given substandard drugs. That is why we ensure everyone in the ecosystem is properly trained,” he said.
Abubakar also cited positive experiences from beneficiaries of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), including a woman who successfully received maternity care under the programme.
He urged more residents to enrol in the health insurance scheme and encouraged beneficiaries to share their experiences to improve public awareness and confidence in the programme.
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