By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
In a bid to strengthen healthcare financing and access, the Bauchi State Health Contributory Management Agency (BASHCMA) has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for its governing board members and key stakeholders in healthcare financing.
Declaring the training open in Jos on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, represented by permanent secretary in his office, Shehu Yahaya Jalam, urged participants to maximize the opportunity by engaging constructively, sharing experiences, and adopting strategies that can be translated into tangible actions to improve health outcomes in the state.
He emphasized that Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration is committed to identifying gaps and implementing practical measures to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all citizens.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, highlighted the state’s recognition as the most consistent in enrollee recruitment for the health contribution scheme. He expressed confidence that the training would further build BASHCMA’s capacity, praising both the workshop content and facilitators.
Dr. Dambam added that under Governor Bala Mohammed, Bauchi has consistently allocated 15% of its annual budget to health—above the federal government benchmark.
Also speaking, the State Head of Civil Service, Mohammed Sani Umar, represented by Permanent Secretary Dawuud Mahmood Yakubu, reaffirmed support for BASHCMA and other agencies working to improve healthcare delivery. “I hope the outcome of this workshop will translate into stronger systems, better coordination, and sustainable reforms within the health sector,” he said.
Earlier, BASHCMA Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Inuwa Duguri, explained that the workshop seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of BASHCMA’s implementation framework, its relationship with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), and key health financing concepts. He noted that participants would also be exposed to innovative health insurance models, risk mitigation strategies, and data management tools. He expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for his sustained support, and acknowledged partners for complementing the agency’s efforts.
The ES highlighted BASHCMA’s achievements, including quarterly board meetings, the enrollment of 80,440 vulnerable persons across 326 primary healthcare centers in 20 LGAs, ongoing registration of 8,000 more beneficiaries under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), quarterly quality assurance exercises, and uninterrupted treatment for 400 sickle cell patients.
He also cited services accessed by over 30,000 civil servants and partnerships with private institutions such as Society for Family Health, Malikiya College of Health Sciences, and Aliko Dangote College of Nursing Sciences.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Isa Babayo Tilde, in a goodwill message, pledged to support the agency in enrolling local government staff into the scheme. He commended BASHCMA’s foresight in organizing what he described as a “rich and engaging” workshop.
On his part, the overseeing Chairman of BASHCMA Governing Board, Jibrin Muhammad Yusuf, pledged full board support to the agency, noting that the training would strengthen their role in helping BASHCMA achieve its mandate.
Over 55 participants, including board members, management staff, and other stakeholders, are attending the workshop.
