Kano State Contributory Health Care Management Agency Marks UHC Day with Fresh Enrolments
The Kano State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (KSCHMA) has expanded health insurance coverage in Kano State, enrolling 200 additional beneficiaries from the informal sector during activities marking the 2025 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.
The new enrollees — comprising petty traders, street vendors, and market men and women — bring the total number of beneficiaries under the state’s contributory health scheme to 900,000, edging closer to its one-million target.
Awareness Gap Persists Despite Rising Numbers
Despite the milestone, officials say many residents remain unaware of the benefits of enrolling in the scheme. Misconceptions about high healthcare costs continue to discourage hospital visits, particularly in rural communities where home births and reliance on Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors (PPMVs) and herbal remedies remain common.
Health experts warn that such practices heighten maternal and child health risks, underscoring the need for intensified public sensitisation.
KSCHMA officials highlighted ongoing town hall meetings and grassroots outreach campaigns as critical strategies to dispel misinformation and drive further enrolment.
Target: One Million Beneficiaries
The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar, acknowledged that Kano’s rapidly changing population has posed data and planning challenges.
“The ever-changing population of Kano State has led to fluctuating figures, which has affected how we compute our data, but we will keep enrolling until we reach our target of over one million people before next year,” she said.
Call for Informal Sector Participation
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, urged residents — particularly those in the informal sector — to take advantage of the scheme, noting that enrolment is accessible through multiple channels.
“The public is entitled to enrol through any of the available gateways — formal, informal, or vulnerable. I urge people in the informal sector to approach the agency and enrol in the scheme,” he said.
For Musa, a petty trader who enrolled during the UHC Day outreach, the process was simpler than expected.
“I didn’t know enrollment was this easy. I usually avoid hospitals because of cost, but now I feel more confident seeking care for my family,” he said.
Beyond Enrolment Numbers
Stakeholders note that expanding insurance coverage is only one step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage. Improving service quality, increasing the number of skilled health workers, and expanding access to well-equipped facilities are equally critical.
KSCHMA’s enrolment drive aligns with Nigeria’s broader Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which prioritises equitable, efficient and quality healthcare delivery while reducing financial barriers and strengthening primary healthcare utilisation across Kano State.
With enrolment nearing one million, officials say the next phase will focus on deepening awareness and improving healthcare delivery to ensure no resident is left behind.
