The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has commenced enrolment of 20 million public primary school pupils for social health insurance programme across Kwara state.
Idris Mohammed, General Manager, for North Central A Zonal Office for Ilorin told newsmen on Wednesday in Afon, Asa Local Government Area of the state that Kwara was the pioneer state to commence the scheme.
According to him, a total number of 164 schools in Asa Local Government comprising of over 15,000 pupils located in three different districts would be captured in the scheme.
He added that, the commencement of the program which he said was a pilot study would be replicated in all the states of the federation and Abuja.
He said “Asa is a pilot study and so the experience gained would map out on how to reach out to other LGs, as well as other part of the country”.
Mohammed further explained that, the NHIS is having full support of the state government in terms of counterpart funding for the success of the scheme.
Also speaking at the biometric data collation, Ganiyu Onimajesu, Kwara Coordinator of NHIS explained that Kwara being the foremost state has begun capturing biometric data of the primary school pupils for the free healthcare scheme. “Facilities are on ground to ensure the smooth running of the program in the state.” He further stressed that primary schools in remote communities without health care centres can benefit from any health centre near the district.
Education Secretary for Asa Local Government, Khudirat Isa, lauded the Federal Government for the scheme and pledged maximum support from the state government for the success of the programme, adding that the state government had been involved in free health care to public primary schools.
The head teacher of Ashi community in Asa expressed pleasure at the scheme and commended the government to bring such initiative to remote villages that are poor and could not access free healthcare.
SIKIRAT SHEHU
