By Asmau Ahmad
The Federal Government has disbursed N518 million to Sokoto State Government in 2020 as National Healthcare Intervention Fund aimed at enhancing the lives of vulnerable persons in the society.
Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr Nasir Sambo made this known in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto on the sideline of the official commencement of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) in partnership with the Sokoto State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (SOCHEMA).
He Sambo said the Federal Government remained committed to attainment of mandatory Universal Health Coverage (UHC) toward ensuring improved healthcare to citizens.
He stressed that the Federal Government remained committed to achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr Sambo noted that the National Health Act enshrined one percent from accrued consolidated national revenue for Basic Healthcare Provision for children, women and the elderly.
He added that each state of the federation and the FCT benefitted from the fund.
He said arrangements had been made to ensure sustainability of the programme and commended Governor Aminu Wziri Tambuwal for floating a similar programme, where Sokoto government allocated two percent from its consolidated revenues.
Sambo added that N8.7 million was also shared to state governments by NHIS as operational fund to enroll beneficiaries in their respective states.
The executive secretary further said that states were allowed to utilise NHIS’ Information Technology platforms to enrol beneficiaries.
“NHIS will continue to support states in the areas of training and capacity building along with other logistics,” Sambo said.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ali Inname, assured government’s commitment in the overall process and urged community and religious leaders to support the exercise.
