The Bauchi state former commissioner of health, Dr. Zuwaira Ibrahim Hassan, has advised People of Plateau state to embrace the contributory healthcare policy recently signed into law by Governor Simon Lalong.
She made the call at a sensitization programme, themed: “Healthcare economics,” organised by the Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), held at the board room of the Jos Central Mosque.
Governor Simon Lalong, had recently signed into law, the Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency.
She said: “The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), is not enough to care for all Nigeria’s, less than 5 percent of Nigerians are accessing it.”
According to her, healthcare is a serious issue that needs the support of all, adding that it was good thing that the Plateau State House of Assembly, have passed the bill for Healthcare Contributory Management Agency.
“I am calling our people to accept and participate in the scheme, it will help us, not everybody will be sick at the same time, so if one is sick the contribution made by others will help in the treatment,” she urged.
Dr. Hassan, further urged other states to emulate Plateau state to enact similar law and policy.
The Chairman of IMAN, Plateau State Chapter Dr. Ahmad Sabo, said the cost of healthcare is increasing in Nigeria and all over the world with Government and insurance companies bearing the brunt.
He said in his paper presentation tagged; “Mediconomics:the personal cost of healthcare,” that, “the cost to individual is something of enigma whose impact is palpable and yet no agreeable universal consensus as to the scope and magnitude.”