By; AMOS EBUTE MATHEW, Kaduna Kaduna State Government and Kaka Foundation has thrown its weight behind a new community-led healthcare initiative
By; AMOS EBUTE MATHEW, Kaduna
Kaduna State Government and Kaka Foundation has thrown its weight behind a new community-led healthcare initiative, providing one-year free health insurance coverage for 200 vulnerable residents of Kaduna North Local Government Area.
The programme, launched in collaboration with Kowa Namu Ne Foundation and implemented by the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), was officially flagged off at Arewa House. It prioritises access for women, particularly pregnant mothers, who constitute over 70 percent of the first beneficiaries.
Deputy Governor of Kaduna State Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe described the intervention as “a life-saving and poverty-reducing initiative” that mirrors the priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the inclusive healthcare policy of Governor Uba Sani.
Balarabe, a public health physician, noted that over 75 percent of health expenditure in Nigeria is paid out-of-pocket, often plunging poor households into financial distress during emergencies.
“This initiative is not just commendable, it is truly a powerful, life-saving intervention,” she said. “It provides relief for the underserved and shows what is possible when government and communities work together.”
She further noted that the state is actively expanding health insurance coverage for the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, alongside infrastructure upgrades, recruitment of medical personnel, and digital tools to improve access in both urban and rural areas.
“Our understanding is simple: health is wealth. A healthy population is more productive, more secure, and more empowered to participate in nation-building,” she added.
The intervention was spearheaded by Abdulazeez Abubakar Kaka, Chairman of the APC Stakeholders Forum and Founder of the Kowa Namu Ne Foundation. Kaka said the programme initially targeted 100 people, but after discussions with the Director-General of KADCHMA, the number was increased to 200.
“I saw the impact of the agency’s work, and I had to increase our reach,” he said. “Many of our beneficiaries are pregnant women, because from available data, they require the most care. The high rate of maternal mortality among poor households is disheartening—and this is our way of responding.”
He attributed the success of the programme to the cooperation of KADCHMA and the state government, commending Governor Uba Sani’s consistent investment in healthcare access and social welfare.
“This would not have been possible without the vision and support of the Governor and his team,” Kaka said. “We’re calling on other individuals and organisations to come onboard. Government alone cannot do it.”
Kaka also hinted plans to scale up the initiative, saying the next target could reach up to 1,000 beneficiaries, with a broader vision for national replication.
“If we gather the right support—financial, mental, and even spiritual—we can do more. What we have done today is only the beginning,” he added.
The Deputy Governor also praised KADCHMA’s community engagement and growing enrolment of informal sector workers, noting that such efforts are key to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
“What we are witnessing today is a beacon of what is possible when government, private citizens, and institutions unite for the common good,” Balarabe said.
The foundation and its partners say the intervention will run for one year, offering comprehensive primary healthcare access to some of Kaduna’s most underserved populations.
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