PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN FCT TO BE ENROLLED IN HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME.

…. As FCT Introduces Measles/ Rubella Vaccine.

By: Reginald Uhegbu

All children in the Federal Capital Territory Administration-owned primary schools are to be enrolled in the FCT health insurance scheme free of charge. Under the health insurance scheme, enrollees are to enjoy free treatment of ailments in the FCT health facilities.

Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the FCT Administration, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, disclosed this during the task force meeting on Measles/Rubella Vaccine introduction in the FCT.

According to Fasawe, FCT is to introduce the Measles/ Rubella vaccine in October as part of efforts to reduce infant mortality in the Territory.

She urged parents and caregivers to make maximum use of this opportunity by making their wards (9 months-15 years) available for the vaccines, adding that measles and Rubella are preventable diseases, which the vaccine would prevent.

Rubella, the secretary further said, can cause blindness and deafness, while measles can cause brain injury to the affected person.

She called on traditional, Religious, and community leaders in the FCT to assist government in passing the message to their communities and create the needed awareness to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated against these diseases, stating that the vaccine is free, safe, and potent.

The Mandate Secretary, who expressed the FCT Administration’s desire to have and maintain a healthy populace, also informed that the Telemedicine scheme will be launched in the FCT in the first week of September. 

According to her, the scheme, when introduced, will reduce doctor–patient physical contact and enhance speedy consultation and treatment for FCT Residents.

In addition, Fasawe emphasized that testing and treatment for malaria are free for all FCT residents at FCT Primary Health Care centres.

Present at the task force meeting were Traditional and Religious leaders, Non-Governmental Organisations, health care workers, and Development partners.