By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), with support from the Centre for Health Economics and Development Analytics Consulting Limited (CHESDA), has organised a town hall meeting to address enrollees’ concerns in the scheme.
The quarterly meeting brought together healthcare providers, beneficiaries, stakeholders, development partners and philanthropists at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Timbab Continental Hotel, Damaturu.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of YSCHMA, Dr Babagana Tijjani, said the meeting was aimed at fostering dialogue between the agency and stakeholders, while addressing complaints and misconceptions surrounding the contributory health scheme.
Represented by the agency’s Director of Standard and Quality Assurance, Dr Isah Adamu, Tijjani described the forum as an important platform for transparency, accountability and continuous improvement in the implementation of the scheme.
“This town hall meeting provides a valuable platform for open dialogue, mutual understanding and constructive engagement between the agency and all stakeholders,” he said.
According to him, the success of any social health insurance programme depends largely on the confidence, participation and support of beneficiaries and stakeholders.
Tijjani noted that YSCHMA had made significant progress in expanding access to quality healthcare services, reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and protecting families from financial hardship associated with healthcare costs.
He commended Gov. Mai Mala Buni for his continued support to the agency through the timely release of funds and approval of its activities.
The executive secretary also appreciated the Ministry of Health and Human Services, its agencies, development partners and philanthropists for their technical and financial contributions to strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.
“We recognise that there are areas that require improvement and we remain committed to listening to the observations, concerns and recommendations of our stakeholders,” he said.
In a presentation, the Director of Programmes, Hajiya Maryam Alkali, outlined the objectives of the meeting, which included educating enrollees on their rights, responsibilities and benefits under the scheme.
She said the forum was also designed to address complaints, dispel misconceptions, improve service utilisation and gather feedback for policy and operational improvements.
According to her, inputs from beneficiaries will help the agency enhance implementation of the contributory healthcare scheme across the state.
Some participants at the meeting identified areas requiring urgent intervention and offered suggestions aimed at improving service delivery and enrollees satisfaction.
Officials of the agency responded to questions raised by beneficiaries and clarified issues relating to enrolment procedures and access to healthcare services.
A panel discussion involving healthcare providers, beneficiaries and representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also examined issues relating to client satisfaction, enrolment processes and overall service delivery under the scheme.
The meeting, stakeholders observed, underscored YSCHMA’s commitment to addressing enrollees’ concerns and advancing the state’s quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
The agency announced plans to hold similar quarterly town hall meetings in Yobe’s other two senatorial zones, Zones B and C, in the next quarter of the year.