Gov. Lalong flag-off enrollment of citizens into PLASCHEMA

Gov. Lalong flag-off enrollment of citizens into PLASCHEMA

By Daniel Kura

The Plateau State Governor Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong has officially flag off the commencement of the enrollment of its citizens into the Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency ( PLASCHEMA).

The flag off 

The Governor who officially flag-off the Plateau State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (PLASCHEMA)  at Government House Banquet Hall Little Rayfield Jos, today Tuesday 15th September,2020.

Gov Lalong disclosed that by this launch, Plateau State is equally commencing the enrolment of its citizens into the Plateau State Social Health Insurance Scheme. This is a great step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in Plateau State which is in line with the Rescue Administration’s first pillar policy thrust of Peace, Security and Good Governance.

He said the World Health Organization acknowledges health as a fundamental human right and this administration believes firmly in this assertion. This is because only the healthy can participate in economic and social activities that contribute to the development of their communities. 

It is against this backdrop that this Government has invested massively in the development of the health sector through provision of infrastructure, medical consumables and equipment as well as manpower training. 

This underscores our focus on upgrading our health facilities to global standards through the Lalong Legacy Projects where we are currently constructing 6 hospitals across the three senatorial districts in order to meet the increasing demand for qualitative, preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative healthcare throughout the State. 

Gov. Lalong also reveals that "despite our lofty intentions to provide the best health facilities throughout the length and breadth of the State, we have realised that a major challenge has remained that of access, particularly by the poor and vulnerable persons who are at the bottom of the social ladder.

This is why we established Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) to serve as a vehicle to midwife the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Plateau State. This development is definitely a game changer.

Furthermore Gov. Lalong disclosed that the take-off of this scheme will guarantee access to quality and timely healthcare services for the elderly, physically and mentally challenged, children less than 5 years, orphaned and vulnerable children, pregnant women and the Internally Displaced Persons, who at the moment face difficulties.

Experience from across the world has shown that the establishment of a health security system such as the one we are launching today has the capacity to significantly impact positively on the health of the population. This is why I shall be closely monitoring the operations of this scheme to ensure that our goals are met.

Let me therefore warn those that are saddled with the implementation of this programme to stick to the guidelines and conduct themselves in the most transparent, efficient and professional manner. We shall not tolerate any abuse or manipulation of the process under whatever guise. 

He urge the management of PLASCHEMA to work closely with the National Health Insurance Scheme with a view to learning from their successes and avoiding some of their mistakes. Such partnership will help to shorten the learning curve and also ensure that the programme succeeds.

It is our hope that the citizens of Plateau State will avail themselves of this unique opportunity to enroll and gain access to quality healthcare. This scheme is open for all Plateau residents in the formal and informal sectors together with their families.

Governor Lalong also use the opportunity to reassure the people of Plateau State that my administration will keep faith with its promise to leave lasting legacies in all sectors, including health.

Reiterating his administration commitment toward giving a quality health care services to the people of Plateau State, the Governor stated that they have demonstrated this by completing projects such as the Riyom General Hospital after about 13 years since it was abandoned. He said work has continued on other abandoned General Hospitals in Kwal in Kanke Local Government and Mabudi in Langtang South.

He said "We are also taking the training of health professionals to the next level as the Plateau State University Bokkos has concluded plans for the take-off of the Faculty of Health Sciences. This is backed up with the establishment of a proposed Teaching Hospital.

The Governor also thank the Speaker and Hon. Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly for giving due consideration to the PLASCHEMA bill and passing it into law which gives us the legal backing to hold this ceremony today.

On his part,  the Directory General PLASCHEMA  Dr.  Jemchang Fabong reveals that  the Agency is mandated to regulate cost of healthcare and ensure adequate distribution of healthcare facilities across the 17 located government areas of the State.

Jemchang stressed that his agency, having been mandated to "regulate, supervise and implement State Social Health Insurance Scheme to provide universal health coverage for every resident of the State would work to ensure financial protection form individuals and families from huge medical bills and ensure equally distribution of health cost across different income groups.