The Yobe State Government has approved the enrolment of state and local government retirees into the Social Equity Programme of its health insurance scheme, a move aimed at improving access to healthcare and reducing medical costs for pensioners.
The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), Dr Babagana Tijjani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to Tijjani, Gov. Mai Mala Buni approved the initiative following a recommendation by the agency.
He explained that the programme is designed to reduce the financial burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses among retirees while providing them with access to comprehensive and quality healthcare services at YSCHMA-accredited health facilities across the state.
Tijjani said the approval reflects the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of retirees and ensuring that senior citizens continue to enjoy quality healthcare after leaving active service.
“This approval is another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of residents of the state.
“By bringing retirees under the Social Equity Programme, the government is ensuring that senior citizens can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship,” he said.
The executive secretary noted that the inclusion of retirees aligns with the state’s healthcare reform agenda and its drive to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
He described the development as a major step toward expanding healthcare access and strengthening social protection for vulnerable groups.
Tijjani commended Governor Buni for approving the initiative and reaffirmed YSCHMA’s commitment to ensuring its successful implementation.
He added that the agency would work closely with pension unions, relevant government institutions and healthcare providers to guarantee a transparent enrolment process and seamless access to healthcare services for eligible retirees.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that YSCHMA was established under Yobe State Law No. 7 of 2019 to implement the state’s contributory healthcare scheme and promote equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services for residents.
Source:NAN
