Writing by Khadijah Aliyu;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has intensified efforts to expand health insurance coverage to livestock and pastoral communities, as part of the state’s drive toward universal health coverage.
Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar, led a sensitisation outreach to the Wudil Livestock Market, where she engaged cattle traders and Fulani women involved in the sale of fresh cow milk on the benefits of enrolling in the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme.
Dr. Muktar explained that enrollment in the scheme provides financial protection against unexpected medical expenses and guarantees access to essential healthcare services.
She noted that livestock workers and pastoral communities, whose livelihoods depend largely on mobility and physical labour, are among the groups most vulnerable to health-related financial shocks.
According to her, integrating pastoral and semi-nomadic populations into the contributory healthcare system is essential to achieving inclusive and sustainable healthcare coverage in Kano State.
She maintained that healthy livestock workers play a crucial role in supporting economic activities, food security, and community wellbeing across the state, stressing that no population group should be excluded from access to healthcare services.
During the visit, the Executive Secretary also held discussions with the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Hon. Aliyu Isah Aliyu, on strategies to increase healthcare enrollment among livestock stakeholders.
The discussions focused on collaboration between the Agency and the Ministry, market association mobilisation, women-led dairy enterprises, and tailored enrollment approaches for pastoral communities.
The outreach concluded with renewed advocacy on the importance of contributory healthcare in ensuring equitable access to quality health services and promoting a healthier, more productive workforce in Kano State.
Rel/Khadijah Aliyu.
