Kaduna Governor Uba Sani is making good on his promise to improve healthcare access by enrolling over 15,000 vulnerable residents into the state’s health insurance scheme. The move is designed to ensure that quality medical care isn’t a luxury, but a right.
At a recent event, identity cards were distributed to pregnant women and children under five—a symbolic gesture of the administration’s core belief: “no citizen should be left behind.” In a message delivered by Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Governor Sani stressed that “no life should be lost simply because they cannot afford needed care.”
Since taking office, the governor’s focus has been to “bring healthcare closer, make it cheaper, and ensure it is better” for everyone. This has included revitalizing and equipping health facilities across the state to improve services.
Governor Sani expressed gratitude to partners like UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), which independently enrolled over 20,000 vulnerable individuals. He also thanked traditional rulers for their vital role in encouraging community participation.
The initiative directly addresses a major challenge in Nigeria, where over 70% of healthcare spending is paid out-of-pocket, creating an immense financial burden on the poor. Kaduna Health Commissioner Umma Ahmad stated the program sends a powerful message that financial barriers will no longer stand in the way of a woman or child’s health. She noted that the program will lead to improved access to life-saving services and is a significant step toward reducing maternal and child mortality in the state.
