The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Yobe State Coordinator, Alh. Mustapha Muhammad, has called for the intervention of traditional rulers on sensitizing the members of the public on Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP).
The call was made when he paid an advocacy visit to the Emir of Fika, Dr. Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa.
The State Coordinator said “We are in this noble palace to solicit for your support on sensitizing your subject on the importance of GIFSHIP.
“As royal fathers you have a very paramount role to play in mobilizing the public”
Dr. Salisu Hassan of Enlightenment, NHIA, shed more light on the importance of the GIFSHIP and the eligibility of the programme.
He said “The programme is designed to cover people that were not enrolled by any of the Authorities. Artisans, farmers, traders, drivers all are eligible in this programme.
“One of the objectives of this programme is ensure the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in the country”.
The emir spoke through his representative, Dr. Dauda Muhammed Dangaladima, the District Head of Jigawa.
He said “The Emirate would help the NHIA on informing the people on the activities of the this organization considering it as the one mandated by the President to ensure the archivement of Universal Health Coverage”.
The emir directed the Emirate Health forcal person Alh. Baba Hardo Zarma to liaise with the NHIA for collaboration in the area of sensitization.
In a related development, the coordinator also visited the Yusufari Emirate where he met the Emir Muhammadu Ibn Zannah Zakariyya.
The emir promised to persuade the politians and the wealthy individuals in his community to assist the poor for payment of the GIFSHIP premiums to enable them access to the health insurance package.
