From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has rallied the Organized Private Sector to support the enrollment of poor and vulnerable residents in the state’s health insurance scheme, as part of efforts to accelerate Universal Health Coverage.
Speaking at a one-day dissemination of advocacy briefs to the private sector by the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), the Honourable Commissioner of Health said the meeting came at a critical time as the state advances toward Universal Health Coverage under Governor Uba Sani.
“While we have made notable progress, one major challenge remains: ensuring that poor and vulnerable populations have access to quality and affordable healthcare,” the commissioner said.
She noted that the government alone cannot achieve the required scale, stressing that the role of the Organized Private Sector is crucial.
The commissioner urged private sector players to explore practical ways of collaboration, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility, to support the enrollment of vulnerable populations in health insurance.
“Together, we can reduce financial hardship, improve access to care, and save lives,” she added.
Giving an update on the scheme, the Director-General of KADCHMA, Mallam Hassan Abubakar, disclosed that over 700,000 individuals across the formal, informal, and Organized Private Sectors have been successfully enrolled since operations began.
He said these beneficiaries are accessing quality healthcare services across accredited facilities, contributing to improved population health outcomes across the state.
However, the DG identified low enrollment from the informal sector as a critical gap.
“This is particularly concerning, given that this segment constitutes the largest proportion of our population. Without substantial participation from this group, the achievement of Universal Health Coverage will remain a challenge,” Abubakar said.
He called for a shift in approach, noting that barriers to enrollment range from limited awareness and affordability challenges to irregular income patterns, trust deficits, and structural access constraints.
Abubakar emphasized the need for innovative and flexible financing models, community-based enrollment approaches, and stronger partnerships across government, the private sector, and development partners.
He appreciated partners, particularly the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), for their technical support in convening the stakeholder engagement.
He also referenced the governor’s directive urging the Organized Private Sector to enroll in health insurance, describing it as a strong policy backdrop for state-level efforts.
Delivering a goodwill message, Asma’u I. Mora, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Jerry Adams, said sustainable healthcare financing is critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“Strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the Organized Private Sector is key to expanding the reach and effectiveness of health insurance schemes,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of CHAI, Nedam Prince Dumlesori said the engagement was aimed at strengthening support for vulnerable populations and assisting those unable to access required healthcare services.
“We are referring to the vulnerable population in Kaduna State,” he noted.
Dumlesori explained that the goal is to leverage individual and organizational contributions to enroll people who find it difficult to access healthcare in the health insurance programme. He said this would lead to a decrease in neonatal and maternal mortality, as well as morbidity.
“If these people are faced with health challenges, how do they survive? It is only when there is a platform that subsidizes or provides the needed support for them to access healthcare,” he said.
He added that CHAI had partnered with KADCHMA through March to support empanelment and contributions to facilities serving vulnerable populations.
Also speaking, Jafaru Yusuf of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) described the scheme as a testament to the commitment of Governor Uba Sani’s administration to ensure citizens remain healthy through affordable, quality healthcare.
“We look forward to a situation where our students are enrolled in this programme. We will appreciate it if this programme is given the desired attention it deserves so that our children can access affordable healthcare,” Yusuf said.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that achieving Universal Health Coverage requires collaboration, shared ownership, and sustained commitment. They pledged to engage actively and contribute meaningfully toward shaping solutions that will ensure no one in Kaduna State is left behind.
