BOSCHMA Enrols 97,000 in Healthcare Scheme, Disburses N1.2bn to Improve Services

The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has enrolled 97,000 beneficiaries under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) and disbursed over N1.2 billion to primary healthcare facilities in the last three years.

Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Abbah Saleh-Kaza, disclosed this on Monday during the 2024 Performance Review exercise in Maiduguri, stressing that family health services remain a priority.

“Reducing maternal mortality is a priority for us, and we continue to focus on providing quality healthcare to mothers and children in the state,” he said. He added that 22,000 pregnant women and 14,000 children had been enrolled since the scheme’s inception.

Saleh-Kaza highlighted the impact of the N1.2 billion capitation payment on improving healthcare services. “In 2024 alone, the state government allocated N699 million for capitation to primary healthcare centers. Since the inception of the BHCPF, we have consistently paid capitation on time, even in the absence of federal government funds,” he said.

The agency also disbursed N40 million in fee-for-service payments to 172 secondary healthcare facilities in 2024, up from N20.5 million in 2023 and N600,000 in 2022. According to Saleh-Kaza, this initiative has strengthened referrals between primary and secondary healthcare facilities, significantly improving service delivery.

“With the introduction of an electronic referral system, we have seen a significant improvement in the efficiency of our healthcare services. We have N300 million reserved for referrals this year and are committed to utilizing at least 50 per cent of the funds to enhance healthcare delivery,” he noted.

The agency also treated about 15,000 enrollees for malaria, hypertension, diabetes, dental, and eye conditions. Saleh-Kaza acknowledged a rising prevalence of mental health cases, prompting a partnership with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.

“One of the challenges we face is the increasing number of mental health cases, and we are working to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care,” he said.

Despite these strides, he identified poverty as a major barrier to healthcare access in the state. “Our state remains one of the most impoverished in Nigeria, and we must do more to ensure that everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable, has access to quality healthcare. This is not just a healthcare issue; it is a humanitarian one,” he emphasized.

He appealed for additional funding to expand services and increase enrolment, while commending Governor Babagana Zulum for his support in strengthening healthcare delivery.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muhammed Guluze, Permanent Secretary, Administration, Government House, Maiduguri, underscored the importance of the performance review in improving health outcomes and urged stakeholders to engage actively.

Ahmed Jamal, Secretary of the National Health Insurance Agency (NHIA), lauded BOSCHMA for achieving 97 per cent of its targets and stressed the need for strong stakeholder engagement to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC).