Date Published: 06 Nov, 2020

6th November, 2020 PRESS RELEASE Kebbi State Government says the provision of quality healthcare services accessible to all communities will be pursued vigorously. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu affirmed this at Takalau Primary Healthcare Centre, Birnin Kebbi at the kick-off of Kebbi State Contributory Health Care Scheme (KECHEMA) and flagg-off of enrolment this Friday. Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu was registered and captured on the enrolment log together with the representative of Emir of Gwandu Sarkin Kudun Gwandu, Alhaji Umaru Mailato Mustapha. The Governor directed officials of the Kebbi State Health Care Management Agency, KECHEMA and other stakeholders to embark on intensive public enlightment campaign about the function of the agency and responsibility of communities to the concept of benefiting from Healthcare Services under the agency. Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu believe that, there was room for improvement on the health indices of Kebbi State in line with the National Health Policy of the Federal Government. Consequently, he requested all participant in the health sectors to sustaining effort in the implementation of government health policies and programmes towards achieving the desired objectives of Universal Health coverage. The Governor told all development partners in the health sector to endeavour to fulfil their obligation, assuring that the state government was committed to upholding what was incumbent on the implementation of all agreements in the health sector. The Governor would want the media to play an important role in enhancing the attainment of quality health care services, urging officials in health services to redouble effort towards attaining the target goals of universal health coverage. He urged traditional rulers and politicians to play an active role in advancing the cause of health services in the state. In a welcome address the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Ja’afaru Muhammad Zuru said the agency was established in May 2019 after passage of its Bill by State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor. He said the objectives was to ensuring mutual assistance to accessing quality healthcare with minimal cost. He thanked the Governor for creating the agency as well as providing an enabling environment and required facilities for its operations. The Commissioner equally thanked the wife of the Governor Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for her support and guidance to all health matters in the state aimed at improving health care delivery. In an overview of the scheme the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Hassan Maigandi said health financing has been the fifth pillar in the Kebbi state strategic health development plan II, in line with National Health Policy on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). He said Kebbi State Government would ensure that, all people have access to effective and high-quality health services without experiencing financial hardship. The Permanent Secretary further said Kebbi State Contributory Health Management Agency (KECHEMA) and the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) in collaborating with National Health Insurance Scheme NHIS and USAID Integrated Health Project (IHP) in the sector. The Secretary KECHEMA Dr. Ja’afaru Muhammad Augie said the objective of the scheme is ensuring equity and financial risk protection in accessing quality healthcare in the state. In a remarks, the Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Ka’oje described the establishment of the KECHEMA as an important achievement and a blessing to the state. Dr. Ka’oje said services to be rendered by the agency would enable common man access healthcare services without inhibition. He said all the 21 Local Government Healthcare Centres were functional, while 112 of such centres have been renovated and upgraded statewide. Goodwill messages were delivered by the representative of Emir of Gwandu, Sarkin Kudun Gwandu, Alhaji Umaru Mailato Mustapha, saving one million lives by Dr. Jibril Gwandu, representative of National Primary Healthcare Agency, Abuja Mr. Akusa, Dr. Salihu Abdullahi who represented Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Health, Dr. Nuhu of USAID, IHP. The rest include Barrister Attahiru Gwandu, Coordinator National Health Insurance Scheme Kebbi State Office, Magajin Gwadangaji Alhaji Umaru Ahmad Gwadangaji and Executive Secretary Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu Umar who explained the process and operations of the scheme, as well as Magajin Bunga Alhaji Idris and Hajiya Rukayya a staff of the centre.

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