Ismail Adebayo in Birnin Kebbi
Success stories have continued to trail the federal government-sponsored contributory healthcare scheme in Kebbi State as beneficiaries in various communities of the state said it has brought relief to their respective health challenges since the State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KECHEMA) intervened.
During a media tour facilitated by KECHEMA to assess the level of implementation of the basic health care scheme in the various facilities of the state, vulnerable beneficiaries who spoke to journalists were excited about the health program and admitted it has positively affected their health situations since their enrollment by KECHEMA.
Those who volunteered to speak with journalists said they were particularly happy with the constant availability of drugs, well-equipped laboratories, and the referral they enjoyed whenever they accessed the facilities in their communities.
A beneficiary, Rabi Halidu, at the Garon Masa Primary Health Centre, Shanga local government area of the state, who said she was being treated for hypertension could not hold her excitement, "I feel very much better from my sickness since I started coming here for treatment. I never had the opportunity to access services like this before the KECHEMA intervention. Despite all the drugs they give me any time I come to the facility, they didn't collect money from me. I get free treatment and free drugs here and I am much better now. I commend those behind this program, it has made life much better for me and many others",' she said.
In a similar vein, Hajiya Fatima Idris, a patient with ulcer complications, also at the Garon Masa facility said she never had the opportunity to treat her ailments before now because she could not afford the service. But since she was enrolled in the contributory healthcare scheme her life has changed for the better. "There is no time I come here that I don't get free treatment and free drugs. My health situation has improved significantly, Alhamdulillah".
The narrative by beneficiaries at the primary healthcare centers visited during the media tour in Tondi, Yauri, Malam Umar Dispensary, Birnin Yauri, Dirin Daji, Kanya, and Rikoto are not different from those at the PHCs in Danko, Rafin Zuru, Dalijan, Masama, Mallamawa, Kalgo, Bunza, Kamba, Kangiwa and Sanwa areas of the state as they all lauded the health initiative claiming it has brought succor and relief to their respective health challenges.
At the Tondi Gaga PHC in Yauri, the ward development committee chairman, Junaidu Adamu Tondi complemented the narratives of the beneficiaries, he said the health scheme has witnessed tremendous response since its take-off in the area. "This is because when the beneficiaries come to the facility they examine them, if it's drugs they needed, they give them if it's injection they give them for free and they feel better. For the vulnerable who are yet to be enrolled, we asked them to be patient they will soon be enrolled. People are really benefitting from the KECHEMA initiative", he said.
Also, the WDC chairman at the PHC in Yauri, Malam Isa Muhammed (Tukura Ubandoma Yauri) said people have been coming to access the facility in large numbers since the KECHEMA intervention. He said "Before we could access health facilities we have to go far. But now that everything is free people easily access the service and they are happy that get everything they needed to get better anytime they fall sick".
Malam Ibrahim Garba is the chairman, WDC Malam Umoru Memorial Hospital in Yauri. He said they are overwhelmed by the development that KECHEMA has brought to them in the area. His words "We never lack anything in terms of drugs, injections, and treatment for the various ailments people come here to complain about and they are happy.
He continued "Before now we used to contribute money to buy drugs at the facility but with the coming of KECHEMA drugs are made available and people are now undergoing several tests without going to the general hospital. Whatever time people come here they attend to them because they operate 24 hours service and the facility is equipped with solar power and constant light is guaranteed".
Amina Sani, one of the vulnerable beneficiaries at the facility said "I was referred to Sir Yahaya Specialist Hospital for fibroid operation at no cost to me because of KECHEMA intervention. May Allah continue to increase those behind this program because it has really helped those of us who cannot afford hospital bills".
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