Bayelsa begins registration of 10,700 vulnerable persons for free healthcare

Bayelsa State government has commenced the registration of vulnerable individuals across the 105 wards of the Eight local government areas of the state for free and qualitative healthcare services in government-owned facilities.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabra Igwele, disclosed this On Monday during the take-off of registration of eligible enrollees into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund at the Primary Health Center, at the Agudama Community in Yenagoa Local Government Council area of the State. 

Igwele, represented at the event by the Permanent Secetary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Wisdom Ebiye Soya, said the registration of vulnerable persons, was in line with the National Health Act of 2014 which established Basic Health Provision Fund for children below age five, pregnant women and people above 65 years old who cannot afford to pay for health services from their pockets.

He noted that the Basic Health Provision Fund, which is sourced from the Federal Government annual grants of not less than one per cent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), grants by International donor partners and funds from other donors, is targeted at providing basic universal health coverage and sustain health insurance method in the country.

Also Speaking, the Executive Secetary of the Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Zuobaemi Agadah noted that the programme is designed after the State Insurance scheme but that the Basic Health scheme initiated by the Federal Government and supported by Bayelsa State, is backed by fund to take care of certain levels of persons at the grassroots. 

He urged the beneficiaries  of the scheme to take full advantage of the scheme and ensure they are properly registered to benefit from the programme. 

The Chairman of the Bayelsa Assembly House Committee on Health, Hon. Oyinke Godbless, described the scheme as commendable, assured the Managers of the State Insurance Scheme to approach the state assembly for a possible ammendment to the laws that can improve the wider implementatio of the BHIS scheme to the informal sectors of the state. 

Also Speaking, the Head of Department, Quality Assurance (BHIS), Dr. Ungbuku Pele, explained that the overall objectibe of the scheme is to ensure the provision of the BMPHS strengthen the primary health care system and provide emergency medical treatment to the people. 

According to her, 50 per cent of the fund through the National Health Insurance scheme is disbursed for the provision of the BMPHS in eligible primary and secondary health facilities and 45 per cent through the National Primary Health Care Development. Agency (NPHCDA) to strengthen PHC facilities through provision of essential drugs, vaccines and consumables, provision and maintain e of health facilities, laboratory, equipments, transport and development of human resources.