28/09/2025
*NASHIA Monitors BHCPF And Equity Programme Enrollment, Identifies NIN Challenges Affecting Turnout*
The Nasarawa State Health Insurance Agency (NASHIA) has carried out a monitoring and inspection visit to various enrollment centers across the state as part of the ongoing exercise under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and Equity Programme to register pregnant women, children under five, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups into the Free Health Insurance Medical Plan.
The enrollment exercise, which commenced on Monday, 22nd September, is aimed at providing free and accessible healthcare services to the most vulnerable citizens in Nasarawa State.
The inspection team, led by Ms Mariam Ekom, Head of the Information Unit of NASHIA, visited several centers on Friday, September 26, 2025, to assess progress, ensure compliance, and interact with beneficiaries and enrollment officers on the field.
Speaking during the visit, Ms Ekom noted that while the exercise had recorded successes in some locations, the team observed a low turnout in several centers due to challenges with the National Identification Number (NIN) requirement.
“Many eligible beneficiaries, especially children under five and some elderly persons, do not have NINs. This has made it difficult for them to enroll under the BHCPF and Equity Programme,” she explained.
Field enrollment officers confirmed that the lack of NINs by some potential beneficiaries was the major barrier preventing many of them from completing their registration.
In a remarks, Muhammad Nuhu, the officer in charge of the PHC Angwa Jaba clinic, praised the Nasarawa State Government for launching the Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a timely and life-changing intervention. Sharing his personal experience as a beneficiary, Nuhu noted that the scheme had significantly reduced his family’s medical expenses, as well as those of his neighbours. He cited, for instance, a neighbour who was able to give birth to twins through the BHCPF/Equity Programme at no cost.
While commending the state government and the agency for their efforts, Nuhu appealed to those who have not yet enrolled due to lack of a National Identification Number (NIN) to quickly obtain it so they can benefit from the scheme. According to him, this will protect them from the financial burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Despite the challenges, beneficiaries who successfully registered expressed gratitude to the state government for the initiative, describing it as a major step toward improving healthcare access for vulnerable populations in Nasarawa State.
