By Joseph Erunke, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory,FCT administration, on Thursday,rolled out free and compulsory health insurance for vulnerable pregnant women in the nation’s capital city.

This is came as the FCT begins enrolment and distribution of safe delivery kits to vulnerable pregnant women under its Health Insurance Scheme.

Under the new policy,it is mandatory just as it is free for all vulnerable pregnant women to register for health insurance.

All vulnerable pregnant women who register in the scheme are entitled to safe delivery kits worth over N60,000.

Recall also that the FCT administration had had within the week, begun enrolment of citizens into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme,FHIS, as part of efforts to reduce financial hardship and improve healthcare accessibility for poor and vulnerable groups in the six area councils of the nation’s capital city.

According to the Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Mohammed Danfulani,who spoke during the enrollment and delivery of safe delivery kits to vulnerable pregnant women, Thursday,in Abuja, the
enrolment is also at a subsidized rate of N13,500 annually for individuals seeking healthcare services in all health facilities across the country.

“If you are poor and vulnerable, then we are going to enroll you for free. Pregnant women and children under five, we are going to enroll them. People with disabilities, children in orphanages, all of them will be enrolled under the poor and vulnerable groups,”he said.

The Mandate Secretary of Federal Capital Territory Health and Environment Secretariat,FCT-HES,Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, speaking at the launch of the project, described it as “a programme of advocacy where we are enlightening, sensitizing and educating the people of the FCT about the FCT Health Insurance Scheme.”

Noting that there was no reason for a woman to die due to child birth complications,Dr
Adedolapo Fasawe,who explained that it was not only during delivery that women have complications,noted that complications come at times,after delivery.

“Today, in particular,we are focusing on pregnant women. The truth is that there is no reason for a woman to die due to child birth complications and it is not only during delivery that women have complications,at times,after delivery.

“It has been documented that the post-natal infections that these women have ,that they don’t treat,come back during child birth and it leads to death,”she said.

She spoke further:”What is the essence of today? Today,we are saying that health insurance covers antenatal care ,the care of the pregnant woman,it also covers you you during delivery. And during delivery,we have added an innovation- the Safe Delivery Kits.

“We have realized that there are many women,who go to traditional birth attendants, for example,they go to primary healthcare centres for delivery and these people use instruments that are not sterile-they use blades,they use scissorses,they use things that have been used before. These are things we are standing against.

“These packs here are absolutely sterile. It is written there that if it has been opened,it should not be used again. Everything here is single use. It is made for delivery and made to be used during delivery and the things inside protect both the mother,the child and even the healthcare giver.

“The essence of this is to encourage pregnant women to register for health insurance. This thing ordinarily, will cost about N50,000. And the normal practice before now is that when you come for delivery,they list everything in there and ask you to buy. But we are giving it out for free once you are registered for health insurance. That is the essence of today and we are hoping that the media, being a veritable tool in disseminating information will carry it this news far and wide.”

Speaking further,Dr Fasawe said:”Right now, pregnant women in Abuja cannot afford to pay for health insurance and are going to be registered under the vulnerable group and it is absolutely free of charge.”

She explained:” Already,in Abuja, antenatal care is free of charge but delivery is not free of charge . But the essence of today is to let people know that even if you cannot afford to pay for health insurance,there are indices that we use to verify that you are poor. “

“You can’t just come after buying lace and all sort of things and say you are poor. We have indices which include the community,the community leaders,the health centres to verify that indeed,this person is poor and we register you for free, absolutely free and this kit will be given to you.

Speaking further,she said:” Even the baby you will give birth to ,will be given care of for a year, free of charge ,under the health insurance scheme.”

“We have 500 kits here today and every pregnant woman here today will enjoy free enrollment and a medical safe delivery kits,”she added.