By Daniel Tyokua
The permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Baba-Gana Adam, has said the achievements so far recorded by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike have gone beyond roads and bridges.
He said the minister caters for human development through the strengthening of health insurance.
Adam stated this at a Free Medical Outreach and Sensitisation, organised by the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) in Garki Market, on Saturday, to commemorate the 2025 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.
He explained that Wike had ensured the implementation of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Health for All projects, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.8), which he noted, are drivers of the economy.
The permanent secretary, said the FHIS, through the collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) was able to revalidate and enrol 69,512 new beneficiaries with valid NIN, out of which over 33,000 were new enrolments of vulnerable persons, thereby surpassing the target for the year 2025 by over 8,000 additional enrolments as at November, 2025.
He expressed happiness that by this figure, the FHIS has again surpassed the annual Ministerial deliverables enrolment target of 25,000 enrolment per annum of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
According to him, “Like I told you, we have exceeded our target last year, and we have exceeded it this year. So, this is part of our enlightenment. This is part of our drive.
“I am immensely glad to mention here that the FHIS has again surpassed the annual Ministerial deliverables enrolment target (25,000 enrolment per annum) of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
“I can tell you for free that under the FHIS, almost every fortnight, there is a sensitisation going on, either in a motor park, in a school, in a business area, or in the offices, where we call formal businesses like banks, teaching hospitals, other tertiary and secondary hospitals.
“And I think the Honourable minister needs to be commended because as of last year and this year, we have even paid our outstanding, far even before the target deadline was surpassed.
“It is not only roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, the human development is also being catered for through the health insurance to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health for all, which of course is a driver of the economy.”
He explained that the essence of the UHC Day is to raise awareness about the importance of strong resilient health systems that provide quality healthcare without financial hardship, adding that the event demonstrates commitment to bringing healthcare directly to our communities.
He explained further that the Free Medical Outreach and Sensitisation, which is holding simultaneously in the six area councils of the FCT, would focus on screening for some common non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, treatment of common minor ailments to promote early detection and access early intervention, as well enrolment in health insurance.
In her remarks, the acting director, FHIS, Dr. Salamatu Belgore, said FHIS staff took the message directly into the market through sensitisation walk to reflects the belief that health insurance conversations must leave office spaces and meet the people where they live and work.
Belgore noted that health insurance is not a luxury, but a shield against financial shock, adding that through the FHIS, traders, artisans, families, and vulnerable persons can access quality healthcare without selling goods, borrowing money, or delaying treatment.
She explained that the theme for this year’s commemoration, ‘Unaffordable Health Costs? We’re Sick of it!’, is not only direct but honest, as it reflects the daily struggles of our people.
