……pledged to enroll indigent constituents
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Consequent upon an advocacy visit paid by a Bauchi based Civil Society Organization (CSO), Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) to Bauchi State legislators on benefits of health contributory scheme, the State Assembly have pledged to, not only champion the smooth implementation of the scheme, but also personally enroll indigent members of the community in their respective constituencies.
The pledged was made by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman while receiving members of J4PD in company of some International Development Partners (IPs) on an advocacy visit to the members.
The speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule assured the visitors that the advocacy briefs they have presented will be given the required attention, pointing out that health care services is one area that is critical for the development of any society.
The speaker also expressed the house readiness to partner with members of J4PD and their partners, with a view to changing the narrative on health care and other developmental services that is critical to human development.
“We are always ready to collaborate with key stakeholders like you towards ensuring that gaps in critical sectors like health, education, WASH, good governance etc are bridged, because government alone on its own cannot do everything”.
On the implementation of the health contributory scheme in the state, he assured that members will key into it by paying keen attention and also personally enrolling their constituents.
He then advised J4PD to liaise with the relevant Committees of the House, particularly the Health and Education Committees to explore more areas of collaboration and synergy which will then be tabled at the plenary of the Assembly.
Earlier speaking , Coordinator of J4PD, Ms. Elizabeth Kah harp on importance of health insurance which she described as “pathway to achieving universal health coverage (UHC)”.
She also reminded that the health contributory scheme has become compulsory for every Nigerian as contained in the National Health Insurance Act which signed President, Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2022.
Kah also said that, “by keying into the health contributory scheme, honourable members of the house will become champions and promoters of an effective, efficient and quality healthcare services delivery across the state which is the main objective of the scheme”.
She added that, “universal health coverage can only be achieved when people, particularly those in the rural areas, are effectively covered in the health insurance scheme” .
Also contributing, State Director of USAID IHP, Dr. Siaka Alhassan particularly emphasised on the importance of health contributory scheme, stressing that members should, through their oversight functions, ensure that allocations in the health sector were promptly released and utilized for the purposes meant for.
According to him, “the international partners want to see that funds made available for particular project was expended as required. They want to see things done as outlined, this will motivate them to allocate more funds for more projects and programs”.
On her part, Bauchi State Team Lead (STL) of USAID State2State Activity appealed on the need for the implementation of the 15% allocation to the health sector of the state which she said will boost quality healthcare service in the state.
Ekele also seized the opportunity and called on the legislators to look at other critical areas like basic education, WASH and prudent public financial management in governance that goes hand in hand with health care service delivery.
Our correspondent reports that the visit by J4PD was in continuation of its advocacy activities to relevant State MDAs and other key stakeholders that is being supported by Centre for Social Justice, under its USAID funded SCALE Intervention.