GoHealth to provide cover for 8,000 Tricycle Riders
By Chima Azubuike
No fewer than 8,000 Tricycle riders in Gombe are to benefit from the collaboration between Gombe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (GoHealth), and its Association.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that this is part of the informal sector enrolment for artisans, farmers, riders towards reducing out of pocket expenditure, and inturn attain universal health coverage.
Our Correspondent reports that the riders whom are prone to accident, would also use their tricycles to expend publicity about the ideals of GoHealth.
Speaking at a sensitisation engagement, before an eventual rally in Gombe, Commissioner for Health Dr. Habu Dahiru, explained that the goal was to provide access to medical services to everyone.
He said, “The essence is to sensitise Keke NAPEP operators in Gombe State, on the need for them to enroll into the GoHealth programme.The whole idea is to provide healthcare services to every person in Gombe State.
“You will recall we started with the formal sector; the public servants. They were all enrolled and they are currently enjoying that. His excellency the governor said we should take in the informal sector like the Keke NAPEP riders, Achaba riders, market women. We decided to take the Keke Napep first because of their vulnerability, they are prone to accident.”
According to Dahiru, it could be disastrous for anyone to be Ill without money, stressing that after an initial registration of N10,000, clients would see doctor for free, except payment of 10 percent to get relevant drugs.
“They are registering with the sum of N10,000 capitation, consultation is free but at the point of drug purchase they will only pay 10 percent of the cost. This will reduce his out of pocket expenditure,” Dahiru added.
On his part, Community Engagement and Programme Officer of Gombe State Contributory Health Care Management Agency, Umaru Wanda, described the partnership as long overdue.
He revealed that by 2026 the Agency expects to enroll over 25 percent of its entire population.
“Our partnership with Keke NAPEP is long overdue, considering the fact that in the agency we have rowed out programmes. We have programmes for the formal sector which comprise of the public servants, organised public sector and also students of tertiary institutions.
“We also have the informal sector and the Keke NAPEP riders, artisans fall into that category. They are very important because they will disseminate the Programme of the Agency to the grassroot,” Wanda said.
Also, Chairman of the Rider’s Association, Mohammed Sarki, lauded the Agency for planning towards including about 8,000 of the entire membership into the health scheme.
He noted that they were in full support, and would leverage on the collaboration to encourage others to be part of the initiative.
