From: Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority, KADCHMA, has launched a strategic grassroots campaign to raise awareness and increase enrollment in the Kaduna State Contributory Health Scheme, KSCHS, across the 11 Local Government Areas of Zazzau Emirate.
Supported by EngenderHealth, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Advantage Health Africa (AHA), the initiative aims to improve community awareness and expand coverage, especially among informal-sector workers.
The event was held at the Palace of the Emir of Zazzau in Zaria. It featured a live dashboard presentation to His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, designed to monitor health programs across the state.
During the event, KADCHMA Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Hassan, described the campaign as a crucial step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage in Kaduna State.
He emphasized that working with traditional institutions will help the Authority reach communities more effectively, given the trust, influence, and extensive grassroots networks of traditional rulers.
“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first initiative of its kind in Nigeria where a State Health Insurance Agency is developing a coordinated grassroots health mobilization campaign anchored on the traditional institution across an entire Emirate,” Mallam Hassan said.
He noted that once developed, the model could be documented, evaluated, and possibly replicated in Kaduna State and elsewhere.
He pointed out that traditional institutions have structures that extend from the Emirate Council to District Heads, Village Heads, and community leaders, making them key partners in increasing enrollment at the local level.
Mallam Hassan highlighted the importance of expanding coverage among the informal sector to help reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare costs, especially for farmers, traders, artisans, small business owners, and transportation workers.
He called on stakeholders to create a practical, measurable campaign with clear roles for the Emirate Council, District Heads, Village Heads, community leaders, KADCHMA, and Local Government units.
The plan includes targeted messaging, specific enrollment goals, defined responsibilities, and effective monitoring mechanisms across the 11 LGAs.
The head of KADCHMA expressed thanks to EngenderHealth, CHAI, AHA, and other development partners and praised the Emir of Zazzau and the Zazzau Emirate Council for their support.
In response, the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, commended KADCHMA for recognizing the importance of traditional institutions as partners in healthcare development.
He assured ongoing support for organizations and individuals working to develop the Emirate and Kaduna State.
The Emir urged members of the Zazzau Traditional Council, District Heads, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to support KSCHS enrollment actively.
In a show of commitment, Ambassador Bamalli pledged to personally assist in enrolling 100 beneficiaries into the scheme.
The event was attended by members of the Zazzau Traditional Council, District Heads, development partners, and stakeholders committed to improving access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Officials say this initiative aims to enhance mobilization efforts, boost enrollment numbers, and significantly support Kaduna State’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.