Yobe State to Enroll Retirees in Health Insurance Program

The Yobe State Government has decided to enroll state and local government retirees in its health insurance plan called the Social Equity Programme.

Babagana Tijjani, the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), shared this news in a statement on Tuesday in Damaturu.

Mr Tijjani said the governor, Mai Mala Buni, approved this move based on a recommendation from the agency.

This initiative aims to lower healthcare costs for pensioners and help them access better healthcare services at facilities approved by YSCHMA.

He added that this approval shows the state government’s dedication to improving the lives of retirees by ensuring they can access quality healthcare after they leave work.

"This approval is another demonstration of the governor’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of residents of the state," he stated.

"By including retirees in the social equity programme, the government is ensuring that senior citizens can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship."

Mr Tijjani also mentioned that having retirees in this scheme fits with the administration’s healthcare reform plans and the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

He called this development an important step in providing better healthcare access and enhancing social support for the elderly.

Mr Tijjani praised the governor for approving this initiative and assured that the agency would effectively implement it.

He said YSCHMA would collaborate with pension unions, government bodies, and healthcare providers to ensure a smooth and clear enrollment process for eligible retirees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that YSCHMA was set up under Yobe State Law No. 7 of 2019 to manage the state’s contributory healthcare scheme and promote fair, affordable, and quality healthcare services for all residents.