Abuja: The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has successfully enrolled 198,810 residents into its Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) within a year. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to the residents of the territory.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, revealed this development in a statement. Olayinka highlighted that out of the total number, 10,065 vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, have been enrolled to receive free medical services under the FHIS.
The FHIS has witnessed a significant rise in enrolment since the inception of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike-led administration, surpassing the annual enrolment target of 25,000 beneficiaries. This move is part of the FCTA’s commitment to reducing maternal and infant mortality from preventable causes by ensuring access to essential healthcare services.
The enrolled beneficiaries can access free healthcare services at Primary Health Care (PHC) centers and avail all services included in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS). Some of the covered services comprise primary preventive care, screening, and primary emergency services, along with secondary-level care like dental, mental, and eye care, among others.
Olayinka encouraged residents to register for the FHIS, noting that free registration for vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women, has been ongoing since February. Pregnant women enrolled through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) PHC centers across the six area councils in the FCT will benefit from free health education, medical consultation, and necessary treatments.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, emphasized the administration’s intensified efforts to combat maternal and infant mortality. Speaking at an event in Gwarinpa District Hospital, Fasawe described the FHIS intervention as crucial to ending maternal deaths, highlighting the approval of free health insurance coverage for all pregnant women residing in the FCT.
Furthermore, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEONC) centers, aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.