FHIS to boost enrolment via area council verification- PRO

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) has announced plans to use the upcoming Area Council validation and verification exercise to increase enrolment in the health insurance scheme.

Mr David Barau, the Public Relations Officer of the agency, disclosed this in an interview with the news men on Tuesday in Abuja.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at meeting the FCTA’s annual target of enrolling at least 25,000 residents in the scheme.

“The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has set a target for the agency to enrol at least 25,000 residents annually, starting in 2024.

“The goal is to enrol 100,000 individuals over the four-year tenure of the Mandate Secretary for the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe.”

Barau added that in 2024, the agency not only met but surpassed the 25,000 target.

He mentioned that the enrolment process for 2025 began in the first week of January with a programme organised by the Mandate Secretary in partnership with the wives of the Area Council Chairmen.

He said the programme, called “Baby of the Year,” involved registering the first baby born in the FCT on January 1, along with their mother, under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).

“On that day alone, 32 registrations were completed, including 16 babies and their mothers.”

He further explained that during a recent verification exercise for FCT staff, Dr Salamatu Belgore, the agency’s director, ensured that obtaining an FHIS identification number was a requirement.

He added this helped register many FCT staff and their families, contributing to the achievement of the 25,000 target.

Barau emphasised that the agency planned to continue the successful strategies from 2024 into 2025.

He mentioned that the upcoming verification exercise for Area Council staff would provide another opportunity to enrol more people in the health insurance scheme.

According to him, the agency also hopes to engage more individuals through such initiatives and ensure that health insurance payments are deducted from the local government staff’s basic income.

The PRO further stated that the FHIS would include vulnerable populations, particularly those in the informal sector, in the enrolment process under the BHCPF.

He noted that the BHCPF was funded by 1 per cent of the federal government’s consolidated budget, designated for the healthcare needs of vulnerable groups.

Barau said that the FCTA’s social investment register would be used to support the enrolment process in 2025.

He also said that the agency would leverage traditional and religious leaders, as well as reach out to Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD), to encourage participation.

Additionally, Barau said the FHIS planned to promote the initiative through radio programmes, road awareness campaigns, and distribution of materials like handbills and flyers.