The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has revealed that as part of implementing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Kano State, 484 health facilities in the state have been accredited to participate in the programme.
The programme, it said, seeks to remove financial barriers to accessing primary healthcare, particularly for the poor and vulnerable.
This was disclosed by NHIS representative, Malam Saidu Adamu at an orientation training of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and media groups on the new guidelines for the implementation of BHCPF organised by Lafiya project under the UK Department of International Development (DFID).
He said Kano State has fulfilled most of the requirements to begin operating the programme and beneficiaries of the fund are eligible to enjoy free service of the basic minimum package of health service as defined by NHIS and approved by the Minister of Health which consists of a package of preventive, promotional, curative and rehabilitative services for all Nigerians.
Similarly, the State Team Leader of Lafiya Project, Dr Dayyabu Muhammed Yusuf, stated that Nigeria’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (NHC) has been symbolized by the passage of the National Health Act of 2014.
Section 11 of the Act mandates the establishment of the fund to support the effective delivery of primary and secondary healthcare services through the provision of a basic minimum package of healthcare services and emergency medical treatment to all Nigerians.