Maternal Mortality: FCT Vulnerable Pregnant Women Get Health Insurance
By: Badaru Yakasai & Doris Jonah
To reduce incidences of maternal mortality in and around the 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration has concluded plans to enroll vulnerable pregnant women into the Health Insurance Scheme.
Accordingly, it is aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare support to this category of pregnant women in consonance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, who announced this plans, said it is the determination of the FCT Administration to initiate a Special Health Insurance enrollment programme for vulnerable pregnant women in the FCT.
The Secretary reiterated that the objective is to drastically reduce maternal mortality rate across the Territory.
Fasawe made this known during an on-the-spot assessment visit to the Primary Health Care Centre, Wassa, in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to assess the facility, as well as the quality of care rendered.
According to her, it is to ensure that the scope of operations is in tandem with standard healthcare guidelines.
The Secretary explained that every resident of FCT is entitled to accessing quality health care services regardless of their socio-economic status.
“There is the urgent need for the Secretariat to meet the needs of the people, which includes the provision of clean and safe potable water to guide against transmission diseases,” she added.
Fasawe stressed, ‘’In recognition of the importance of proper healthcare during pregnancy and the right of every pregnant woman to essential healthcare services without financial barriers, the Secretariat has taken the bold step to initiate a special enrolment process for women facing economic hardship so as to receive vital care deserved.”
The Secretary revealed that the insurance process would cover a range of services, including prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, and other necessary medical attention that would drastically reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality rate’’.
Her words: “The government is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people through innovative healthcare interventions and community outreach programmes.”
The Secretary said that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has directed the Secretariat to embark on Advocacy/ Sensitization programmes to enlighten the people on how and where to access healthcare services at affordable rates within the FCT.
