By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NiCare) has secured the commitment of the First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago, to serve as the State’s Health Insurance Ambassador in a renewed drive to expand healthcare coverage for vulnerable residents.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NiCare, Sulayman Abu-Bakr, led an advocacy delegation to the First Lady’s office.
The team, which included Abdulsalam Omar, State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and Aliyu Ndayagi, Director of Human Resources at the Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGIRS), presented an overview of the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Vulnerable Group Programme.
They highlighted key milestones achieved in expanding access to quality healthcare services through health insurance schemes.
Abu-Bakr revealed that the agency has recorded significant progress in enrollment, with over 121,000 residents currently covered under various programmes.
He noted that 80,230 beneficiaries are enrolled under the BHCPF initiative, reflecting improved access to healthcare among vulnerable populations. He commended the First Lady for her continued support and expressed optimism for a strengthened partnership.
As part of efforts to deepen coverage and accelerate the attainment of universal health coverage, NiCare proposed a First Lady-led enrollment campaign targeting an additional 65,000 vulnerable residents across the 25 local government areas of the state.
In her response, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed Bago commended NiCare for its impactful contributions to healthcare delivery, describing the agency as a critical institution in advancing the welfare of citizens.
She formally accepted the role of State Health Insurance Ambassador and pledged to champion awareness and mobilisation efforts, particularly among vulnerable groups.
She assured of her full support towards the successful implementation of the proposed enrollment drive, adding that the official flag-off date of the campaign would be announced in due course.
Speaking during the visit, NHIA State Coordinator Abdulsalam Omar praised NiCare’s commitment to improving healthcare access and reaffirmed the Authority’s continued support towards achieving universal health coverage in the state.
Similarly, Aliyu Ndayagi of NGIRS lauded the Agency’s efforts and assured of sustained collaboration in advancing health insurance coverage.
The advocacy visit underscores the growing synergy among NiCare, NHIA, and NGIRS in promoting sustainable healthcare financing and ensuring that more residents, particularly the vulnerable, have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
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