Stakeholders Score PLASCHEMA High, Says Achieving Universal Health Coverage in the State Possible

Health Experts and critical Stakeholders in Plateau State have commended the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong for the conceiving the idea and establishing the Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) and scored the agency high.

This was made known at the Citizen Engagement Town Hall Meeting by PLASCHEMA which held at the Plateau Radio Television Corporation (PRTVC) Rayfield Jos, Plateau State.
The Stakeholders commended the agency for living up to its mandate and the expectations of the citizenry which they said is capable of making the actualization of the universal health coverage in the State possible.

The General Manager of PRTVC, Mr Jeftha Jackden in his remarks hinted that the engagement was part of the agency’s accountability to the people of the State. He applauded the State Government for the establishment of what he termed an all important legacy agency depicting its commitment to the health of the citizens.
He also commended the visibility and effectiveness of the agency brought about by the ingenuity of its Director General, Dr. Jemchang Fabong who he said is providing visionary and pragmatic leadership.
According to him the health sector is critical to productivity and development.

The Plateau State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang commended the agency for the laudable achievements so far and charged the citizens to key into the contributory health insurance scheme to achieve a healthier State which in turn he said will translate to a prosperous State.

Chairman of the event, Prof. Ishaya Pam said the domestication of the Health Insurance Act will bring about greater impact in the health sector.
He lauded the energetic drive of the DG who is working tirelessly to achieve the mandate of the agency.
He said healthcare funding is the cause of the high rate of poverty in the society.
He said the size of Nigeria’s population calls for greater attention to the health sector.

While reeling the achievements of the Agency since it was established the Director General, Dr. Fabong Jemchang hinted that the meeting is part of the agency’s social accountability to the people.
He said the establishment of the Agency by the Rescue Administration of Gov. Simon Lalong is an indication of its determination to provide quality health services to the residents of the State anywhere they may be.
According to him, the Agency is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that all people in the State have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitating health services of sufficient quality at affordable price, while ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardship when paying for services.

He said the agency is covering both the formal and non formal sectors in its quest to strengthen health financing by polling resources through strategic purchasing, mitigate high out of pocket expenditure.
He decried how many persons have lost their lives over their inability to meet up with their medical bills.
He expressed optimism that the Agency will work towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of universal health coverage in the entire State.

The event had Prof. Chris Yilgwan and Prof. Victor Pam as Discussants.