Kano Government Says Health Scheme Boosting Access To Quality Healthcare

Kano State government says its Contributory Healthcare Scheme (KSCHS) has helped citizens get access to quality and affordable healthcare services in the state.

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa in Kaduna during a two-day   Strategic Retreat organised by the Kano Contributory Healthcare Management Agency to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas on policy and strategy implementation.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Ministry's mouthpiece, Hadiza Mustapha Namadi, the commissioner said the scheme has been able to achieve the feat by ensuring the availability of all essential drugs, consumables and other services in all the healthcare facilities engaged by the Scheme, including access to free service packages made free to all vulnerable groups who were enrolled under the scheme.

He further said that the initiative has also contributed to the increase in turnout in health facilities, particularly antenatal attendance, by the enrollees.

Also speaking, the Chairman Governing Board of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), Dr Basheer Ibraheem Mohammed stated that creating the scheme has supported facilities to have more equipment and other infrastructure which helps individuals who live in distant communities to access services.

He added that this brings opportunities for increasing the well-being of residents in the state.

Though the Kano government is confident that the scheme is helping out enrollees, some who spoke to AllNews Nigeria decried how hospitals, especially private ones deny them access to complete health packages under the program.

One who spoke under the condition of anonymity as he is also a health worker said: "I had to show them I am also in the system."

He said there are differences in the drugs given to patients who 'pay in full' and those under the scheme.