Zamfara State Government has concluded arrangements to provide free medical care to 34,000 vulnerable persons across the State under its new medicare system.
Governor Bello Mohammad Matawalle announced this at a launching of the programme held at Farida General Hospital Sokoto road, Gusau.
The programme titled: “Care for 34,000 Vulnerable Persons” under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund was aimed at providing qualitative health care to the less privilege peoples of the state.
Governor Matawalle, said the programme would provide 34,000 vulnerable persons access to free healthcare services.
He said, he received N408 million from the National Health Insurance Scheme through the Contributory Health Care Management Agency for the implementation of the agreed Basic Minimum Package of Health Services.
According to him, 231 beneficiaries will be selected from each of the 147 wards comprising 92 pregnant women, 116 children under the ages of 5 as well as 23 elderly and physically challenged persons will be enrolled into the scheme.
The Governor noted that, with the construction of Primary Healthcare Centers across the 147 wards which would soon come into operations, beneficiaries of the scheme would not have to travel far to access services.
Earlier, the state Commissioner of Health Aliyu Abubakar Tsafe said the programme was aimed at addressing and reducing maternal mortality and other health challenges especially at the rural area.
In his remark, the Emir of Gusau Alhaji Ibrahim Bello commended the efforts of the state government for initiating the programme and called for sustainability.
The state civil servants have already been enrolled into the programme in order to have access to healthcare services at a subsidised rate.
SANI HARUNA