Kano to enrol 6,000 TB, leprosy patients in health insurance scheme

The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has announced plans to enrol 6,000 vulnerable persons living with tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy in the state’s contributory healthcare scheme as part of efforts to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr Rahila Aliyu Muktar, disclosed the initiative on Tuesday during a strategic engagement with TB and Leprosy Supervisors from the 44 local government areas of Kano State, held at Ni’ima Guest Palace, Kano.

Dr Muktar said the programme aligns with the healthcare transformation agenda of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which seeks to ensure that vulnerable residents have uninterrupted access to healthcare through sustainable health financing.

She explained that the enrolment would remove financial barriers to healthcare for people affected by TB and leprosy, enabling them to access comprehensive medical services through KSCHMA’s network of accredited healthcare providers.

According to her, the collaboration between KSCHMA and the State TB and Leprosy Control Programme would strengthen disease control, improve case management, reduce catastrophic healthcare expenses and enhance the well-being of vulnerable populations across the state.

The Executive Secretary called on TB and Leprosy Supervisors in the 44 local government areas to intensify community mobilisation, accurately identify eligible beneficiaries and provide the technical support needed for the successful implementation of the enrolment exercise.

She reaffirmed KSCHMA’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage through strategic partnerships, innovative health financing mechanisms and inclusive healthcare interventions that ensure no resident is left behind.

The meeting featured technical discussions on beneficiary identification, enrolment procedures, implementation strategies and the responsibilities of field officers in ensuring the successful rollout of the programme statewide.

KSCHMA said the planned enrolment of 6,000 vulnerable people living with TB and leprosy reflected its commitment to strengthening Kano’s healthcare system and improving the quality of life of vulnerable residents through equitable and sustainable access to healthcare.