Gov. Andullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has approved N500 million as the counterpart payment for 2024 to Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA).
Dr Gaza Gwamna, State Commissioner for Health made the disclosure at the flag off enrolment exercise for judiciary staff into the scheme on Tuesday in Lafia.
The commissioner explained that the governor had already released N250 million of the approved fund to ensure that enrollees have unhindered healthcare services in all facilities in the state.
He added that plans were on the way to release the balance of the N250 million to enable easy access to healthcare services.
“We are committed to ensuring better healthcare services, as such, you have nothing to worry about and you can seek for care in your chosen medical facilities anytime,” he added.
The commissioner also lauded, Justice Aisha Bashir, Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa State, Jimoh Musa, State Chairman, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) for making the enrolment of judiciary staff a reality after many years of struggle.
Gwamna added that only three per cent were still being deducted from the salaries of civil servants in the state to add to the counterpart payment by the state government.
“Despite the increase in the course of healthcare services, only three per cent is still being deducted for the insurance scheme because of the government’s commitment to the health of the people,” he added.
The commissioner also called on civil servants and other enrollees of the scheme to report poor services to the government to enable them tackle them.
“You should know your rights and entitlements and always speak out when they are denied by any facility,” he added.
On his part, Dr Yahaya Ubam, Executive Secretary (ES) of NASHIA said over 87 per cent of civil servants in the state were already benefiting from the scheme.
He said that the agency was doing everything possible to ensure that the remaining civil servants were capture, because the scheme is mandatory for all civil servants.
He called on individuals and groups as well as politicians to register indigent people in their areas in order to complement the effort of the government toward ensuring attainment of universal health coverage.
The NASHIA boss also promised that the agency would provide handbooks to all enrollees to enable them know the treatments and drugs captured in the scheme.
The Executive Secretary also expressed gratitude to the governor for his support toward ensuring smooth running of activities at the agency.
In her goodwill message, Justice Aisha Bashir, Chief Judge of the state said the programme is laudable and would help tackle out of pocket expenses made to access healthcare services.
The CJ who doubled as Chairman Judiciary Service Commission (JSC), said that they were spending a lot of money in the past to assist staff with health challenges.
“This will help us to save a lot of money and will be channel to other areas to better the working condition of staff,” she added.
The Chief Judge therefore, said that health insurance is compulsory and all the staff of the judiciary must enroll, especially now that all misunderstanding with the union were addressed.
On his part, Jimoh Musa, JUSUN Chairman thanked the CJ and other management staff for the support, which made it possible for the judiciary staff to join the scheme at last.
He said that the union supported and facilitated their joining the scheme because of its benefits to them and their families.
He therefore, called on his members to report any poor services at any facility to NASHIA or the officials of the union for prompt action. (NAN).