By Ahmed AHMED
USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) has urged Bauchi state governments to use some parts of Federal Government (FG) palliatives to enroll more vulnerable populations in the healthcare Insurance Scheme of the state.
The Health Financing Advisor of the Organisation Mr Khalid Kasimu made the call at a one day Media quarterly meeting on budget performance organised by Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) with support of IHP on Thursday in Bauchi.
He said that the issue of healthcare for the vulnerable population was very important as one of the factors that contributes to poverty is when people still spend from their pockets to access healthcare.
Khalid said that giving people palliatives like rice, maize and other incentives are only short lived, stressing that the issue of expenditure on healthcare should not consume the income of the vulnerable population.
“Bauchi state has 5.5 million vulnerable population and once you enroll the vulnerable group, making them have access to healthcare by using N12,000 per person in the health Contributory scheme in the state,
“That gives them access to health services for a whole year, thereby reducing the effect of healthcare expenditure that is pushing them to poverty”
“The vulnerable population are the most affected in the removal of subsidy because they pay more for everything that they are doing.
So if we give them access to healthcare for a year in addition to other things they are going to get, they will be happy with this administration” he said
In a remark, Alhaji Saleh Giade Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and Economic planning said the ministry would organise citizens’ engagement on the budget ahead 2024.
“Public hearing would be conducted across the three Senatorial zones that involve stakeholders, the Civil Society Organisations, Media among others.
“To receive inputs, to ensure critical assessment on how the budget would look like,” he said.
He commended the state government in terms of allocation of budget in the health agencies in the State.
Earlier, Mrs Elizabeth Kah, Coordinator of Journalists for Public Health Initiative and Development (J4PD) said the meeting was organised to improve understanding and accurately report progress on Health budget performances and financing reforms.
“It will also increase health insurance awareness among the Public and develop capacity of the media outlet on reporting health,” Kah said
