KATSINA — The Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA) has pledged closer collaboration with the correctional authorities to ensure the effective implementation of free health insurance coverage approved for 20,000 inmates across the state.
The Director-General of KTSCHMA, Muhammad Tukur Ibrahim Safana, made the commitment when he received a medical team from the Katsina Correctional Centre, led by Dr Habib Kabir Ibrahim, during a courtesy visit to his office.
The engagement followed Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s recent announcement of the enrolment of 20,000 inmates into the state’s free health insurance programme as part of measures to expand healthcare access to vulnerable groups.
Safana said the agency would support the governor’s commitment to ensuring that inmates are included in the state’s healthcare coverage initiatives.
“Healthcare is a fundamental need, and no one should be excluded from access to quality medical services because of their circumstances,” he said.
He said access to healthcare was essential to protecting the dignity, wellbeing and fundamental rights of inmates, adding that their circumstances should not prevent them from receiving appropriate medical care.
Safana stressed the need for sustained collaboration between KTSCHMA, correctional authorities, medical teams and other stakeholders to advance the state’s universal health coverage objectives.
“We are ready to work closely with the correctional authorities and their medical teams to ensure that the benefits of the Governor’s health insurance interventions reach inmates and that their healthcare needs are properly addressed,” he said.
He further assured that KTSCHMA would strengthen its engagement with correctional authorities to facilitate timely access to healthcare services and support effective implementation of the insurance coverage.
Earlier, Dr Habib Ibrahim commended Governor Radda for approving free health insurance coverage for 20,000 inmates, describing the initiative as a significant step towards improving access to medical care within correctional facilities.
He also commended the state government’s investments in the health sector, including the recent flag-off of activities at Charanchi General Hospital and the deployment of emergency ambulance services.
Ibrahim said the correctional authorities looked forward to sustaining their partnership with KTSCHMA to improve healthcare delivery across correctional facilities in Katsina State.
