Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHIMA) has commenced enrolment of 22,500 vulnerable individuals from across the state under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) scheme.
Speaking while flagging off the programme, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Babagana Tijjani, explained that BHCPF was established as a principal funding vehicle to increase the fiscal space and overall financing to the health sector toward the country’s drive to achieve universal health coverage.
Dr Tijjani said the objective of the scheme, in its initial phase over the next three years, was aimed at reducing maternal mortality ratio from 576 to 400 per 100,000 live births representing 31 per cent reduction towards the attainment of the global target.
“Similarly, it was meant to achieve, a reduction in neonatal mortality rate from 39 to 26 per 1,000 live births representing a 33 per cent reduction and under 5 mortality rate reduction from 120 to 85 per 1,000 live births representing a 29 per cent reduction towards the attainment of the global target,” he added
He noted that the programme would provide free healthcare access and services to the targeted group among poor and vulnerable, including pregnant women, children under 5, aged people, physically challenged and indigent.
He said the agency accessed the sum of N270 million for 2019 from the federal government to implement the scheme in the 178 political wards in Yobe State.
He thanked the state government for equipping the agency with both financially and technical support to carry out the exercise.
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