By Salisu Ahmad
The Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA) has held an engagement meeting with its accredited healthcare providers in the Northern Senatorial Zone of the state to strengthen collaboration and improve service delivery.
The meeting, which took place at the Conference Hall of the Federal University of Science and Nutrition Teaching Hospital, Azare, brought together representatives of government-owned and private hospitals under the agency’s scheme. It provided a platform for BASHCMA to announce an increase in capitation for its enrollees and reaffirm its commitment to accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services across Bauchi State.
During the engagement, participants received detailed presentations on the concept of moral hazard in healthcare service delivery and practical steps to mitigate such challenges. The sessions also covered the rights and responsibilities of enrollees, service providers, and the agency, as well as the referral and claims system, and the sanctions provided in the operational guidelines of the state’s health contributory scheme.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of BASHCMA, Alhaji Ibrahim Inuwa Duguri, reiterated the agency’s determination to uphold high standards of care for all enrollees. He said the annual meeting was aimed at reviewing performance, renewing contracts, and deepening the working relationship between the agency and its partner facilities.
Duguri commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his continued support to the agency, noting that such backing has enhanced BASHCMA’s capacity to deliver quality and affordable healthcare services to all segments of the population. He, however, cautioned participating facilities against misconduct or breach of contractual obligations, stressing that the agency would not hesitate to sanction erring providers.
“Mutual accountability and adherence to service standards are essential for sustaining public trust and achieving universal health coverage in Bauchi State,” Duguri stated.
Some participants who spoke with our correspondent expressed delight over the increased capitation rate and described it as a welcome development that would motivate facilities to deliver better services. They also urged the agency to intensify public enlightenment on clients’ rights and responsibilities under the scheme.
The high point of the engagement was the formal signing of a renewed two-year Service-Level Agreement (SLA) between BASHCMA and the participating healthcare providers.