The Yobe State House of Assembly has amended the law establishing the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), enabling the agency to utilize its reserve funds for investment purposes. This amendment is expected to enhance YSCHMA’s financial stability and improve healthcare services for the residents of Yobe State.
The amendment was approved following the adoption of a report presented by the House’s standing committee on primary healthcare, YSCHMA, and the Yobe State Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency (YODMA). The chairman of the committee, Sanda Kara Bade, emphasized that the investment initiative would broaden the agency’s income sources, facilitating the expansion of its programs and accelerating progress towards universal health coverage in the state.
In a related development, discussions regarding the inclusion of retired civil servants in the YSCHMA program faced a setback. Despite engagements with the leadership of the Yobe State Pensioners’ Association, the committee was unable to secure their consent for the inclusion of pensioners in the scheme. The lack of agreement may hinder the participation of retired civil servants, many of whom require government intervention for managing chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Bade reassured the pensioners that the House remains open to further dialogue, should they reconsider their stance on joining the scheme. He stressed the importance of healthcare access for pensioners and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring their well-being.
Responding to the matter, the Secretary of the Yobe State Pensioners’ Association, Garba Wakili Chukwuriwa, explained that many pensioners find it difficult to afford the mandatory five percent monthly contribution required by the YSCHMA amendment bill. However, he expressed interest in the program, citing Governor Mai Mala Buni’s recent decision to include pensioners in the new minimum wage framework.
Chukwuriwa added that the pensioners’ association intends to continue discussions with YSCHMA and the House committee to advocate for their members’ inclusion. He underscored the significance of the program in advancing universal health coverage and ensuring pensioners’ access to affordable medical care.
With the new amendment, YSCHMA is set to strengthen its financial base through strategic investments, which could ultimately lead to improved healthcare services for all beneficiaries in Yobe State. However, the challenge of incorporating retired civil servants remains an issue that requires further deliberation between stakeholders.
