Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority has begun distributing identity cards to 15,916 vulnerable residents, including pregnant women and children under five, under its Health Insurance Scheme.
Speaking at the launch in Kaduna on Thursday, Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said the initiative aimed to “bridge vulnerability to security” and ensure no citizen is denied quality healthcare due to financial constraints.
“Health is a fundamental human right,” she said. “We are not just distributing cards, but offering care, delivering compassion, and committing to health for all.”
Balarabe noted that over 70% of healthcare spending in Nigeria is out-of-pocket, a burden that “breaks the backs of the poor,” and called for sustained support from partners and philanthropists.
Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, said the programme has already enrolled 31,165 beneficiaries, surpassing its 20,000 target, with the goal of reducing maternal and child mortality.
Director-General Abubakar Hassan added that the governor had approved the enrolment of 70,000 vulnerable persons.
Partners including UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which enrolled over 20,000 directly, were praised for their role in expanding access to life-saving maternal, newborn, and child health services across the state.
