Maikaya Foundation partners Nasarawa Government enrols 750 physically challenged women, children into health insurance

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By Muhammed Ogwu, Lafia

Maikaya Development Foundation (MDF), in conjunction with Nasarawa State Government has enrolled no fewer than 750 People Living With Disability (PLWD), the less Privilege Persons and vulnerable individuals into the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NSHIA), across the 13 local government areas of the state to enable them address their health needs.

The Chairman/CEO of Maikaya Development Foundation, Muhammed Musa-Maikaya disclosed this in Lafia the state capital on Thursday.

Musa-Maikaya while explaining that this was the first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, nothing that it is aimed at catering for the health well-being of the underprivileged community who have been finding it difficult to cater for their owing to the current economy challenges being faced by the citizens across the state.

He, however, posited that the enrollees were selected randomly across all local government areas in synergy with stakeholders for even distribution and participation.

He further disputed the speculation of having political inclination in the programme, saying that there is no truth in it and the enrollment has no connectivity with his political ambition.

He revealed that the humanitarian outfit has been supporting vulnerable individuals for almost a decade, promising to ensure sustainability.

His words, “It is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state with the aim to cater for the health well-being of the underprivileged community in the state.”

Earlier, Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule while speaking at the flagging-off ceremony for the enrolment of 750 vulnerable individuals into the state health insurance by the Maikaya Development Foundation, said efforts are on top gear to initiate a programme that will fund the health financing of the vulnerable segments of the state.

The governor stated that only with a healthy population, the economy of the state will thrive especially in areas like agriculture and industrialization, vowing to support the underprivileged in the society.

He added that the state’s health indicators had improved with a rising number of healthy population in the state, pledging government’s efforts to ensure universal health coverage.

Represented by Commissioner of Health, Gaza Gwamna, acknowledged that no investment in the health sector is a watse, stressing that with health financing, citizens’ confidence will increase for better healthcare service delivery.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency, Yahaya Ubam, encouraged citizens to enrol into the state health insurance scheme, noting that it is accessible, affordable and efficient in rendering basic healthcare services for members of the formal and informal sectors.

He called on politicians and philanthropists to join the trail to cater for the health needs of the underprivileged.

Delivering goodwill messages, State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Safiyanu Andaha, Member representing Ugya/Umaisha at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Sa’ad and the Senior Special Assistant on Women Affairs, Elsie Monde lauded Maikaya Development Foundation’s “charitable gesture in putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden”.

Some beneficiaries of the programme who spoke to our correspondent shortly after the flag-off ceremony Amina Ali and Ewongulu Martha appreciated the Foundation’s commitment to improving their well-being.