By Matthew Tegha

Plateau State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme (PLASCHEMA) has continued in its strides to “regulate, supervise and implement State Social Health Insurance Scheme to provide universal health coverage for every resident of the State and ensure financial protection form individuals and families from huge medical bills and ensure equal distribution of health cost across different income groups.

Dr. Fabong Jemchang, the Director-General of the Plateau State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme (PLASCHEMA) stated this on Tuesday during an interface with the media practitioners in Jos Plateau. 

The new health policy was launched in October 2020 by the plateau State Government to reduce “out-of-pocket expenditures” on healthcare, and improve family incomes, with the distribution of health insurance access cards to civil servants and the general public.

Dr Jimchang while addressing the media, tasked them to continue in their role as custodians of the society and inform on the policies of the Government using targeted and strategic communications to citizens and as stakeholders be centered on preaching credibility. 

He commended the efforts of the Plateau State Governor, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong for establishing the State Contributory Health Care Management Agency, PLASCHEMA to cater for the health needs of its citizens and achieve universal health coverage in the State.

“The Agency is regulating the cost of healthcare and ensuring adequate distribution of healthcare facilities across the 17 located government areas of the State, with about 325 Primary Health Care Centers, 27 Pharmacies, 5 Laboratories, 3 Dental Clinics, 1 Optometry, General and Cottage Hospitals, 3 Tertiary Institutions already part of the scheme,” He Said.

“PLASCHEMA has interacted with citizens across different professionals both in the health sector, rural and urban dwellers, trade unions and local government workers, community and religious leaders among others to sensitize them on the need to embrace the scheme and ensure members of their communities key into it for effective healthcare delivery,” He said.

He said the Agency has developed various programs to cover different segments of society; including the State Equity Health Care Plan, The Formal Health Care Plan, The Informal Health Care Plan and the Private Health Care Plan. 

The Director-General noted that while others have keyed into the healthcare scheme which has been beneficial with immense testimonies, however, a few have resisted the program for lack of interest and understanding with the major General Hospital in the State, the Jos University Hospital (JUTH) yet to.

He further called on media practitioners and all citizens to own the scheme and serve as advocates to all residents on the Plateau, defusing misgivings while promoting the concept of Universal Health Care Coverage.

The Media interface brought together professionals from different media houses in the state with the interaction centered on educating the public on the benefits and need to embrace the scheme.

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Plateau Citizens Encouraged to Embrace the Social Health Insurance Scheme for Cheap & Universal Health Coverage