The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has announced plans to enroll 6,000 tuberculosis patients into its vulnerable healthcare scheme as part of efforts to strengthen access to treatment and reduce the burden of the disease in Kano State.
The Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Mukhtar, disclosed this during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Coordination of Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, under the leadership of Sunusi Hashim.
Dr. Rahila said the agency had already enrolled people living with HIV into the state healthcare scheme, adding that tuberculosis patients would now benefit from similar healthcare coverage under the vulnerable group programme.
According to her, tuberculosis remains a serious public health concern that requires urgent attention and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure patients receive proper treatment and support.
She explained that enrolling TB patients into the health insurance scheme would help reduce financial barriers to healthcare services and improve access to diagnosis, medication, and other essential medical interventions.
Dr. Rahila further reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents across the state through inclusive healthcare programmes aimed at improving public health outcomes.
In his remarks, the Coordinator of the Kano TB Network and Executive Director of SOCSEE, Sunusi Hashim, expressed appreciation to KSCHMA for its commitment toward improving the welfare of tuberculosis patients in the state.
He described the planned enrollment as a major step toward strengthening the fight against tuberculosis and reducing the hardship faced by affected patients, especially vulnerable and low-income families.
Sunusi also called for sustained partnership between government agencies, development partners, and civil society organizations to tackle tuberculosis and other infectious diseases across Kano State.