The Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NiCare) says it has enrolled more than 121,000 residents in its various health insurance programmes as part of efforts to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare.

Sulayman Abu-Bakr, the executive secretary of NiCare, disclosed this on Monday in Minna during an advocacy visit to Niger state’s first lady, Fatima Mohammed Bago.

Mr Abu-Bakr said the beneficiaries included 80,230 vulnerable residents enrolled in the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Vulnerable Group Programme.

He explained that the visit was aimed at securing the support of the governor’s wife to expand health insurance coverage among vulnerable residents across the state’s 25 council areas.

According to him, the agency is targeting an additional 65,000 vulnerable residents through a coordinated enrolment campaign.

He said the initiative would be driven with the support of Mrs Bago in her new capacity as the State Health Insurance Ambassador.

The NiCare boss highlighted the implementation of the BHCPF Vulnerable Group Programme and ongoing efforts to improve affordable and quality healthcare through expanded health insurance coverage.

Responding, Mrs Bago commended NiCare for widening access to healthcare services across the state.

She described the agency as one of the leading government institutions making meaningful contributions to the welfare of the people.

The first lady pledged to champion awareness, advocacy and mobilisation campaigns to increase enrolment in health insurance programmes, especially among vulnerable groups.

(NAN)