The Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NiCare) has initiated a free enrolment program for approximately 1,000 retirees into its health insurance scheme.
During the flag-off ceremony at the NiCare office in Minna, Dr. Bello Tukur, the Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, highlighted Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago's commitment to supporting retirees who have dedicated their productive years to the state. He emphasised that this initiative is part of the administration's broader efforts to consistently pay retirees' gratuities, now in its seventh batch.
Dr. Tukur noted that the retirees have significantly contributed to the state's development and should not worry about healthcare in their retirement. "We want them to have peace of mind, knowing their welfare is secured and they can access healthcare at any enrolled facility," he said.
Sulayman Abu-Bakr, the Executive Secretary of NiCare, stated that the governor mandated the agency to care for all citizens, including retirees. He described the free enrolment as a token of appreciation for the retirees' decades of service. The agency aims to achieve universal health coverage, starting with enrolling 1,000 retirees in the first phase and scaling up to 2,000.
Abu-Bakr revealed that NiCare has already enrolled about 100,400 people and is currently adding 15,000 vulnerable individuals, funded by the governor's counterpart fund for the basic healthcare provision fund. The agency's goal is to cover children, women of childbearing age, and the elderly to reduce maternal mortality and ensure comprehensive healthcare access.
The state head of service, Alh. Abubakar Sadiq, represented by Permanent Secretary A'ishatu T. Usman, praised the initiative and Governor Bago for his support. Engr. Abubakar Salisu, a beneficiary and former Head of Service, expressed his gratitude, noting that the program is a significant innovation by the governor to enhance the system.
This initiative is a testament to the administration's dedication to the welfare of its retirees and its broader goal of achieving universal health coverage in Niger State.