The Zamfara State Government has commenced the enrolment of additional underage children, women, elderly persons and persons living with disabilities into its free healthcare services scheme.

The development was announced during sensitisation visits to the Bukuyyum and Gummi Emirate Councils by officials of the Zamfara State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (ZSCHMA).

Speaking at the events, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Iliyasu Ahmad Saleh, said the exercise targets underage children, nursing and pregnant women, elderly persons and persons living with disabilities across wards in the two emirate councils.

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the healthcare agenda of the Governor Dauda Lawal administration, which is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services for residents of the state.

Dr. Saleh noted that since the declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector by the governor, the agency has strengthened collaboration with relevant stakeholders to achieve set objectives.

He also urged district heads to closely monitor the utilisation of funds allocated to healthcare facilities, particularly for drug procurement and the maintenance of hospital infrastructure.

Also speaking, the Director of ICT at the agency, Abdulsamad Kaura, said 400 enrolment forms would be allocated to each ward for distribution to the targeted beneficiaries.

He added that possession of a National Identification Number (NIN) is a mandatory requirement for enrolment under the scheme.

In a statement, the Information Officer of the state free healthcare services initiative, Nasiru Tukur Limatawa, said beneficiaries per ward would include 150 pregnant women, 150 women aged between 14 and 49 years, 50 children below five years, 25 elderly persons aged 65 years and above, and 25 persons living with disabilities.

In their remarks, the Emir of Gummi, Sarkin Mafaran Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan, and the Sarkin Dakkon Bukuyyum, Alhaji Muhammad Usman, represented by the Secretary of the Bukuyyum Emirate Council, commended the state government for what they described as timely development and intervention programmes that have positively impacted residents.

They urged the people to continue to support and pray for the success of the present administration, particularly in achieving its human capital development goals. (Daily Trust(