by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
About 10,000 persons are expected to be enrolled as beneficiaries in a Free Medical Service Programme in Yobe State, and they would be issued with identification cards that will allow them to access free Primary and Secondary Healthcare Services.
The services would be at all Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA)-accredited and engaged health facilities in the selected local government areas in the State.
The YSCHMA was inaugurated on Tuesday for free medical service programme for pregnant women, children under the age of five, and vulnerable individuals in Geidam.
Speaking at the event, Dr Babagana Tijjani, who is YSCHMA’s Executive Secretary, explained that, the programme was a significant step towards achieving universal health coverage in the state.
He said, the programme was as a result of a collaborative agreement between YSCHMA and UNICEF, and is aimed at ensuring that all children under the age of five are immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to him, “Particularly, the focus would be on children between the ages 12 and 23 months, who have not received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, BCG, polio, meningococcal, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DPTi.”