The Gombe State office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has convened a one-day stakeholders’ forum aimed at addressing challenges hindering the smooth implementation of health insurance programmes in the state.
Declaring the meeting open, the Acting Zonal Director of NHIA, Mr. Ezekiel Danjuma—represented by the State Coordinator, Dr. Usman Ahmed—explained that the forum was designed to sensitise stakeholders on ongoing reforms and foster collaboration to overcome existing obstacles.
Dr. Ahmed emphasised the importance of synergy in aligning the NHIA Formal Sector Programme for the collective benefit of Nigerians.
He noted that the theme of the engagement, “Chronicles of a New NHIA: Towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring inclusive healthcare.
In his remarks, the Head of Standards and Quality Assurance, Dr. Shamsuddeen B. Malala, highlighted NHIA’s role in supporting vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly in rural areas.
He added that NHIA interventions have contributed significantly to reducing maternal mortality in Gombe and across the country.
FG applauded
Delivering goodwill messages, the Medical Director of Zainab Bulkachuwa Women and Children Hospital, Dr. Ugon Peter, and the Team Lead of NNPCL North-East Zone, Dr. Jika Abubakar Ahmad, applauded the Federal Government for introducing the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) which offers 48 free medical services.
They expressed optimism that the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (SEMSAS) would further strengthen healthcare delivery in public facilities.
Also speaking, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Gombe State Command—represented by ACC Ishaya D. Maitins—pledged support for enrolling inmates in the NHIA scheme.
The forum attracted participants from federal ministries, departments, agencies, and other stakeholders, and featured an interactive session on devising sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting health insurance implementation.
