By : Sodiq Omolaoye
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expanded health insurance coverage for journalists in Abuja, with about 480 media professionals now captured under the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS).
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the launch of a health insurance initiative for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
Fasawe also used the occasion to call on philanthropists, political officeholders, religious leaders, and business leaders to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.
According to her, expanding health insurance coverage for journalists is critical to strengthening their welfare and ensuring they remain healthy while performing their professional duties.
“Basic healthcare is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Health is a collective responsibility, and it must be achievable, affordable and accessible to all”, she said.
She announced an additional 50 health insurance slots for journalists, noting that the gesture would further expand access to healthcare within the media community in the FCT.
Fasawe disclosed that about 480 out of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT have already been captured under the scheme and expressed optimism that the number would soon reach full coverage.
She said: “My purpose of coming here today is to ask political office holders, religious leaders and individuals who want their voices to be heard to buy health insurance for a journalist.
“Buy health insurance for a member of the press today, and you will be heard loud and clear because you are supporting those who tell your stories to the public.”
She also highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to improving healthcare delivery, particularly in tackling maternal and child mortality.
According to her, the administration has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to maternal deaths, stressing that pregnant women, especially vulnerable ones in the FCT, can access free antenatal care and delivery services, including caesarean sections, at primary healthcare centres across the territory.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, described the initiative as a milestone in efforts to prioritise journalists’ welfare in the territory.
Ike commended the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., for supporting the programme, as well as the FCT Health Secretariat for providing 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members.
She commended the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, who pledged to sponsor 50 additional journalists in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali.
“Today marks a historic moment for the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council. For the first time in the history of our council, we are flagging off a health insurance initiative specifically designed to support the welfare and well-being of journalists in the Federal Capital Territory."
According to her, the combined support has enabled about 200 journalists to benefit from the free health insurance initiative.
On his part, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, described the programme as a critical intervention that would improve healthcare access for journalists.
He noted that less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, stressing that expanding insurance coverage would help reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and improve access to quality healthcare.
The event, held during the NUJ FCT Congress, had over 450 members in attendance and featured stakeholders, including the Director of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Salamatu Belgore, among others.(The Guardian)
