The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), has engaged traditional leaders to accelerate the enrolment of vulnerable persons into the state’s contributory healthcare scheme.
The one-day advocacy engagement, held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Kano, brought together District Heads from across the state to strengthen community mobilisation under the KSCHMA Vulnerable Population Programme (VPP).
The engagement focused on improving the understanding of traditional leaders about the mandate, scope and performance of the VPP, while seeking their support in identifying and mobilising eligible vulnerable persons within their communities.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr Rahila Aliyu Muktar, described healthcare as a shared community responsibility requiring the collective efforts of government, traditional institutions, development partners and communities.
She stressed the strategic role of traditional leaders in creating awareness, identifying eligible households and supporting vulnerable persons throughout the enrolment process.
Dr Muktar said the engagement was designed to strengthen traditional institutions as trusted community advocates for improved access to healthcare services.
The programme featured presentations on health challenges affecting vulnerable communities, the mandate and performance of KSCHMA, as well as the role of traditional and religious leaders in advancing the Vulnerable Population Programme.
Participants also discussed flexible philanthropic options for supporting vulnerable persons, including nomination-based enrolment, ward-level Sadaqah mobilisation and voluntary matched contributions.
A panel discussion provided an opportunity for selected traditional leaders to share experiences of healthcare challenges in their communities and identify practical approaches to increasing enrolment under the VPP.
The engagement also sought voluntary commitments from participating leaders to support community announcements, identify eligible households and mobilise relevant stakeholders towards effective implementation of the programme.
The agency said the initiative would also establish a network of community health champions among traditional leaders to serve as sustained advocates for KSCHMA and the Vulnerable Population Programme.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
