The Borno government has enrolled 46,000 vulnerable persons under the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA).

The programme aims to enhance quality healthcare service delivery at the grassroots.

The agency’s executive secretary, Saleh Abba-Kaza, made this known at a news conference in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Mr Abba-Kaza said that about 46,000 vulnerable people, pregnant women, children under five, people living with disabilities, the elderly and the poorest were captured and enrolled across the state as enshrined by the NHAct 2014 and are currently receiving free healthcare services.

He said 183 primary healthcare facilities were accredited to provide healthcare services to the beneficiaries, and 13 additional PHCs are planned for accreditation in 25 local government areas of the state.

He listed some of the hospitals as the State Specialist Hospital; Eye Hospital; Dental Clinic; State Psychiatric; and Skin and Leprosy Hospital, as well as the General Hospitals in all the LGAs of the state.

According to him, the agency aims to ensure effective, efficient, qualitative, affordable and equitable healthcare delivery for all in Borno through sustainable healthcare financing.

“To ensure sustainable healthcare financing and free healthcare for the vulnerable people of Borno, the governor has agreed to offer one per cent of the consolidated revenue of the State and Local Governments to purchase efficient healthcare services for the vulnerable persons,” he said.

According to the executive secretary, a takeoff grant of N100 million was released to the agency by the state government in April 2020 for smooth operationalisation, including hiring temporary offices, purchasing utility vehicles, office infrastructure, ICT infrastructure and enrolment of the formal sector.

“So far, BOSCHMA has received N418.9 million in 2021, N557 million in 2022, and N337 million in 2023, cumulatively about N1.3 billion worth of grants through the Basic Healthcare Fund.

“The State has been funding the Zulum-Special Health Intervention Programme (Z-SHIP) for free healthcare to people with special needs,” he said.

He listed some beneficiaries as the mentally challenged, sickle cell patients, chronic kidney diseases and abandoned children.

(NAN)