Nasarawa Governor Tasks NASHIA on Quality Healthcare, Affordable Services

By Mariam Ekom

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi A. Sule, has directed the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) to urgently address challenges faced by enrollees under the state health insurance scheme. He issued the directive during a town hall meeting in Wamba Local Government Area, underscoring his administration’s commitment to delivering quality and affordable healthcare to all residents.

Represented by the Wamba Local Government Council Secretary, Barr. Usman Alhassan Lamus, the Governor noted that ongoing sensitisation campaigns are designed to ensure every resident can access medical services without enduring financial hardship.

In his response, the Executive Secretary of NASHIA, Dr. Yahaya Bawa Ubam, commended Governor Sule for his unwavering support to the health sector. Speaking through Pharmacist Kaki Maikudi Kudu, who stood in for him, Dr. Ubam highlighted the rights and privileges of enrollees and urged beneficiaries to report instances of poor service delivery without hesitation.

Pharmacist Kudu expressed disappointment with some healthcare facilities that continue to provide substandard care despite receiving prompt payments from the agency. He reaffirmed NASHIA’s resolve to uphold quality healthcare standards for all enrollees.

The Director of Marketing and Business Development, Mrs. Hadiza Dogara, elaborated on the benefits of the scheme and encouraged residents to enrol, noting that the initiative is strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. She assured that NASHIA values partnerships with individuals and organisations, and called on all stakeholders to prioritise health insurance coverage. Mrs. Dogara also warned of the dire consequences of untreated illnesses due to financial constraints, citing cases where families have lost loved ones because they could not afford medical care.

Also speaking, Hon. Wamu Stephen Adams, Personal Assistant to the Governor, expressed gratitude to Governor Sule for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued commitment to promoting the health insurance scheme across the state.

NASHIA offers affordable individual coverage at ₦12,000 per year. The agency targets enrolling 500,000 residents by 2027 and has already registered over 242,946 beneficiaries. Its mission aligns with Governor Sule’s broader vision of transforming healthcare delivery in Nasarawa State. Through sustained community engagement and proactive resolution of operational challenges, NASHIA remains dedicated to expanding access and promoting health awareness statewide.