By Bashir Hassan
The Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA) has concluded a two-day capacity building workshop for members of its Governing Board and selected critical stakeholders, aimed at strengthening governance in the health contributory scheme and deepening sustainable financing for Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The workshop, held from 19th to 22nd August, 2025, at Sharna Place, Jos, Plateau State, was themed “Strengthening Governance in Health Contributory Scheme and Sustainable Financing for Universal Health Coverage.”
The opening session was graced by senior government officials including representatives of the Secretary to the State Government and Head of Civil Service, alongside goodwill messages from the Commissioners for Health and Social Welfare, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of BASHCMA, Alhaji Ibrahim Inuwa Duguri (Yariman Yankari), highlighted milestones achieved by the Agency under the current administration. These include enrolling over 80,000 vulnerable persons across 326 Primary Health Centres in 20 LGAs, the 2019 declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector, and the Governor’s recent approval of improved conditions of service for healthcare workers.
The workshop, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination, Jibrin Muhammad Yusuf, featured seven technical papers delivered by seasoned resource persons. Topics covered included governance structures, collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), regulatory frameworks, sustainable funding strategies, and stakeholder relations.
At the end of the event, participants resolved to intensify advocacy and sensitization drives at all levels, from the State Assembly to grassroots communities, to expand health insurance coverage.
They also stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure value for money and improve the quality of healthcare services delivered to enrollees.
Other key resolutions included: Commendation of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for providing an enabling environment for the take-off of the formal sector component of the scheme.
Support for the recent approval of 2% salary contributions from local government staff, effective August 2025, as a step toward boosting BASHCMA’s financial base.
Calls for prompt release of the 1% consolidated revenue allocation for health financing on a monthly basis, rather than quarterly.
Advocacy for exploring innovative funding streams such as zakat and waqf contributions, corporate social responsibility partnerships, and low-risk investments.
Strengthening collaboration with the Bauchi State Health Trust Fund (BHETFUND) and ensuring timely release of its statutory 10% contribution.
Participants also urged the Agency to pursue amendments to its enabling law, establish statutory committees in line with global best practices, and sustain capacity-building initiatives for its staff and board members.
In a joint closing statement, the Acting Chairman of the Governing Board, Jibrin Muhammad Yusuf, and the Executive Secretary, Alhaji Duguri, expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed, key ministries, and development partners for their support. They emphasized that the workshop had raised stakeholders’ awareness and zeal to pursue the vision of achieving Universal Health Coverage in Bauchi State.
0 Comments