By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said a large portion of the informal sector would have to be involved for the State to achieve Universal Health coverage.
Lalong stated this at the Domestic Resource Mobilization Parley for the State Health Insurance Informal Sector engagement held in Jos,
organised by the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLACHEMA)
It would be recalled that the Plataeau State Contributory Health Management Agency (PLACHEMA) was established by the present Administration in the State in 2020 to ensure that people have access to needed “promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care services”, while ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardships when paying for services.
Part of its core mandate is to strengthen health financing by pulling resources and through strategic purchasing, mitigate high out of pocket expenses.
The Governor said, “The current low inclusion of the informal sector is likely because of the economic nature of human health seeking behaviour and poverty.
Lalong, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Atu said, “In such situations, individuals who are in good health condition would prefer to invest their income in commodities of immediate need than pay for health insurance.
Earlier in his address, the Director General, PLACHEMA, Dr Fabong Jemchang said, “74.4 percent of the total population in Plateau State are in the informal sector, which explains the high level of chronic disease.
Jemchang noted that the inability of the host residence to pay for premium for health insurance, trust ability, mindset about the scheme, state of public health facilities are some of the challenges faced by the Agency.
“Others include sustainability and inadequate manpower from the Agency as well as funding”, he stressed.
In his remarks, State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ninkong Lar-Ndam, noted that financial difficulty is a huge barrier in early access to health care services and called on the informal sector to assist in this regard.
