Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has inaugurated a 15-member Governing Board of the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NSHIA), with Ambassador Abdullahi Bage as part time Chairman.
Engineer Sule inaugurated the NSHIA board at a ceremony, which held at the Government House, on Friday.
The Governor said the state was the first to enrol in the National Health Insurance Scheme, after the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Scheme was launched last year, aimed at providing accessible, affordable, qualitative and sustainable healthcare services for all residents of the state.
Engineer Sule re-emphasized that his administration attaches high value to the health wellbeing of the people, considering that the economic benefit of a healthy population cannot be over-emphasized.
He disclosed that, and in order to facilitate the smooth operation of the scheme, the state government approved 0.5 percent of its consolidated revenue as equity fund, for the agency to cater for the vulnerable in the society.
This, according to the Governor, is in addition to the state’s counterpart fund provided for the Federal Government’s basic healthcare provision programme, as well as the approved deduction of 3 percent of civil servants basic salary as premium to cater for household of principal enrollee.
Engineer Sule added that members of the governing board of the NSHIA, were selected based on their proven experience, commitment, dedication, patriotism, among others, charging the appointees to live above board and to justify government’s confidence repose in them.
While urging the board members to carry out their assignment diligently, devoid of any sentiment, the Governor pointed out that the board is to be guided by the responsibilities bestowed on it by the enabling law establishing the scheme.
In a vote of thanks, Chairman of the NSHIA board, Ambassador Bage, thanked the Governor for finding them worthy of the appointment, promising to work tirelessly, living no stone unturned, in order to justify the trust reposed in them.
According to Ambassador Bage, the place of health in the day to day activities of the people of the state, cannot be over emphasized, stressing that current challenges in the sector, has made it mandatory for all and sundry to join hands together, to salvage the sector.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government (SSG), Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani, recalled that, in furtherance to the commitment of the administration to ensure for the smooth take off of the National Health Insurance Scheme in the state, the scheme was flagged off last December.
The SSG said in order to ensure for the efficient and effective implementation of the scheme, the Governor, approved the constitution of the governing board, which was being inaugurated.
