Kaduna enrols 15,000 vulnerable persons into health insurance scheme

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has expanded access to healthcare by enrolling over 15,000 vulnerable persons into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.

Speaking at the distribution of ID cards to pregnant women and children under five, Governor Sani—represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe—said his administration believes “no citizen should be left behind, no community should be overlooked, and no life should be lost simply because they cannot afford the needed care.”

He noted that since assuming office, his mission has been to “bring healthcare closer, make healthcare cheaper, and ensure healthcare is better,” adding that the revitalisation of primary health centres and general hospitals has strengthened service delivery.

“Our investments mean women can now deliver safely, children can grow healthy, and families can live without the fear of medical bills pushing them into poverty,” he said.

Governor Sani credited the progress to partnerships between government, development agencies, and communities, singling out the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for enrolling over 20,000 vulnerable persons into the scheme. He also praised UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and traditional rulers for their support.

The governor stressed that more work lies ahead, with over 70% of healthcare spending in Nigeria still paid out-of-pocket, describing health insurance as “the bridge from vulnerability to security, from exclusion to inclusion, from despair to dignity.”

Commissioner for Health, Hajiya Umma Ahmad, said the enrolment—achieved in collaboration with CHAI—will improve access to life-saving maternal, newborn, and child health services.

“Beyond the numbers, this is a step towards reducing maternal and child mortality rates, improving health outcomes, and building a healthier, more resilient Kaduna State,” she said.