The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) as part of the delivery of its mandate, is committed to providing quality healthcare coverage for residents of the State through contributory healthcare scheme to fast-track the actualization of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), as part of this effort, the agency sensitized members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), National Association of Small-Scale Industries (NASSI) Kano chapter on the 24th and 25th October 2022.
The sensitization meeting was convened by KSCHMA with support from FCDO funded Lafiya Programme, the event provided a platform to interact and sensitize the participants on the unique opportunity provided by KSCHMA through the Organized private sector (OPS) programme.
The meeting drew representatives from the various organizations affiliated with MAN as well as NASSI that included the association of master bakers, association of table water producers, association of soap, pomade cosmetics, and the association of tailoring association of blocks, association of phone repairers amongst others.
Accordingly, the event had in attendance the Executive Secretary *KSCHMA Dr. Halima Mijinyawa who was represented by the, director standard & quality assurance Dr. Aliyu Zubair. Other stakeholders in attendance includes the management team of KSCHMA, representative of FCDO Lafiya Programme Abdulkadir Kabara as well as members of Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KANSLAM)
While speaking with journalists, Dr Abdullahi Ahmed, the program director of KSCHMA said the agency in an effort to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and ensure equitable access to healthcare for members of Kano chapter of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists in incorporating NASSI amongst others to KSCHMA through its Organized Private Sector Program on healthcare.
He noted that members of NASSI can register themselves and members of their families through their various companies and subsequently access healthcare at the desired facility of their choice which offers KSCHMA healthcare services irrespective of their socio-economic status.
“There are categories of contributions for the coverage of a man, his wife and four children below the age of 18 for just N5, 000 per month for health services. For the extra dependent, a payment of 9, 000 per annum has to be made. If an individual has more than one wife, an elderly or aged relative or more
than the already registered four children, they fall under the extra dependent. However, the payment will be monthly, to sum up to N9,000 per annum.” Dr Ahmed said.
Mr Sani Sagagi the assistant executive secretary of the Kano/Jigawa branch of MAN told Daily News24 that he was highly impressed that KSCHMA had such health arrangement for the manufacturers, adding that he will recommend a partnership with KSCHMA and the Kano branch of MAN for further health provision for staff of MAN.
“MAN has the mandate to protect the interest of producers and this KSCHMA health provision for the organized private sector is in line with our mandate. Some producing companies are into medical retsinership with certain private hospitals, but this KSCHMA health service provision for our members is much more affordable and easier.” He said.
Accordingly, Umar Haruna the chairman of phone repairers association in Farm center GSM market, Kano, said he used to envy government workers who access health services at a subsidized rate and had a mindset that the government was partial, regarding to health provision in the state.
He added that the enlightenment enabled him understand how KSCHMA works and how he and other phone repairers in Farm center market and others in the state can access healthcare at a subsidized rate, all thanks to KSCHMA’s organized private sector health programme.
“As I proceed to the market i will sensitize my members on how they can access quality healthcare at a subsidized rate. This is a welcome development and i am highly impressed.”
Hussaini Abdullahi, a beneficiary of the scheme, told Daily News24 that the burden of out-of-pocket spending has been greatly curtailed ever since he keyed into the KSCHMA’s healthcare scheme.
“Before, whenever I was ill and went to the hospital for care, I usually get a prescription from the doctors and then buy the drugs from chemists were quite expensive but ever since I enrolled as a beneficiary of this health scheme, I don’t have to pay so much for healthcare.
“I only pay N12, 000 per annum for my healthcare and has greatly reduced out-of-pocket spending and I also advise others who have not registered with KSCHMA, to do so without hesitation so as to enhance their healthcare and also reduce spending on health,” Abdullahi explained.
Meanwhile, Munir Sagagi, the chairman of the Kano state chapter of NASSI said initially, his thoughts and that of his members was that KSCHMA only covers government officials only but through this engagement, their understanding of KSCHMA’s healthcare program and services has been significantly enhanced.
He added that “this program is beneficial to members of my association in terms of reducing the cost of health spending. As the program continues we are committing to conducting a step-down sensitization for other members of the association to enable them to benefit from this health program.”
Meanwhile, Shuaibu Indabawa a healthcare consultant said KSCHMA has overtime been enrolling government officials, the vulnerable and other segments of the population into its health program and decided to sensitize the NASSI members on how they can be part of the scheme to ensure their coverage.
“Most of the NASSI members have indicated interest to enroll for the program and it is a step in the right direction towards enhancing healthcare because every residence of Kano State is entitled to access healthcare services.” He explained.
