Abba briefing the press
The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) established four years ago has commenced a one-week activity to mark its maiden Healthcare Financing Week.
The Agency was established by Governor Babagana Zulum administration with the main objective of ensuring effective, efficient, quality, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all in Borno through sustainable healthcare financing.
Briefing the press at the flag-off of the week-long activities in Maiduguri on Monday, the Executive Secretary, Dr Saleh Abba, said other activities for the week included town hall meeting, road walk, novelty football match, dinner and award ceremony.
Abba said within the four years of its establishment, the BOSCHMA had enrolled 115,628 vulnerable persons to access free healthcare services.
Abba said that about 183 Primary Healthcare (PHCs) facilities were accredited across the state by BOSCHMA in collaboration with National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA) to provide healthcare services to the beneficiaries.
“All secondary facilities in the state were accredited to serve as referral centres for the PHCs.
“The total enrollment across the state now stands at 115,628 done in 162 PHCs across 25 LGAs, second only to Kano state in the country,” Abba said.
According to him, a total of N529.9m had been disbursed as capitation to the 162 PHCs, while 133 of the PHCs were also supported with ICT facilities.
“On organizational strengthening, the agency has produced documents to guide her operations, including OG-BMPHS/Drugs/consumables/lab,10-year strategic plan, job description manual, and quality assurance/M&E Framework,” Abba said.
On enrolment of state and local government civil servants, Abba said the agency had discussed with organized labour to address the areas of concern for the enrolment targeting 100,000 beneficiaries.
On the agency’s expectations in 2024, Abba said approval of N211m as part of Basic Healthcare Provision Fund counterpart funding would increase the enrolment coverage for the vulnerable persons.
He said the agency would also establish two zonal offices in Biu town for Southern Borno and Monguno town for Northern Borno for ease of serving the people.
He lauded all those who supported the agency towards recording successes, particularly Gov. Zulum.
“Appreciation to His Excellency the Governor for all the support, the Honourable Commissioner of Health, Management and entire staff of BOSCHMA, our entire stakeholders, including development partners SOS Village Nigeria, Lafiya-UK, UNICEF, and WHO,” Abba said.
