The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority has begun enrolment of about 16,000 pensioners into the scheme.

KADCHMA and the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding on health insurance for pensioners in the state.

This came to the fore at a one-day sensitisation, orientation and enrolment of NUP members into the scheme on Wednesday in Kaduna.

The authority’s Director-General, Abubakar Hassan, said the exercise was aimed at availing residents of the state with quality and affordable health care.

Mr Hassan, represented by Ibrahim Alimi of the Marketing Department, said pensioners were not an exception of the state government’s commitment to providing affordable and quality health care services.

He explained that bringing the pensioners into the scheme was in line with the state government’s target of reaching a universal healthcare coverage by 2030.

Mr Hassan emphasised that the pensioners would benefit immensely from a robust package on their healthcare without unnecessary spending out-of-pocket for their health care needs.

He equally said that with the health insurance, pensioners would have access to health care services from any public or private health facility across the state without having to spend from their pockets.

The disclosed that KADCHMA was also discussing with NURTW, market traders associations, association of proprietors of private schools, among others, to sign MoUs and bring them on board the health insurance scheme.

This, he said, was to ensure that no individual, union or association was left out from enjoying the benefits of the affordable robust health care packages.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Secretary of NUP, Kaduna State chapter, Alhassan Balarabe-Musa, said the exercise, which began with its members from zone two, was a pilot one and would cut across all the zones in the state.

He explained that prior to the enrolment, the union observed KADCHMA’s package where it spotted some lapses that would prevent its members from benefiting much from the health insurance package.

Mr Balarabe-Musa therefore said that the authority had designed a mini package mainly for the pensioners.

With the package, he said, the pensioners would access quality health care services at a subsidised annual premium of N10,600.

Describing pensioners as aged, the secretary said they were vulnerable, having cases such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension among other diseases and ailments that eat deep into their pockets almost on a daily basis.

He said, “We believe that our pensioners deserve the best, and this scheme will go a long way in improving their overall well-being.’’

He commended KADCHMA for its commitment to making healthcare affordable and accessible to all, urging their members to take advantage of the scheme and enrol in the health insurance programme.

Mr Balarabe-Musa also thanked the state government for designing a special package for its pensioners.

(NAN)