The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Adedolapo Fasawe, has emphasised the critical strides and ongoing challenges in strengthening the healthcare system within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This is as the FCT beat 35 States to emerge as runner-up for “Best Performing and Most Improved State” at the 2nd Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge.

Fasawe, while attributing the success to the strategic leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the daily dedication of healthcare providers in Primary Health Care (PHC) centers across the territory, revealed that the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) has exceeded its enrollment targets for 2024, set by the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES).

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of HSES, Baba-Gana Adam, the Mandate Secretary revealed that FHIS was tasked with enrolling 100,000 participants over four years, with an annual target of 25,000 enrollees, but between January and November 2024, it surpassed the goal, enrolling 36,000 individuals, 11,000 above the annual target, with numbers still rising.

She underscored the importance of UHC, stating, “The goal of UHC is to ensure no one is left behind, particularly the poor and vulnerable.”

Fasawe attributed the achievement to the legal framework and proactive measures introduced by the current administration.

She commended the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, noting his intervention in settling outstanding payments owed to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and healthcare facilities.

“This administration has cleared all backlogs. Meetings have been held with HMOs and facilities, and as of December 2024, we have approved payments for the first quarter of 2025. We are now moving forward to deliver the Minister’s promises,” she said.

The Acting Director of FHIS, Salamatu Belgore, presented a UHC Day Call to Action letter to Dr. Fasawe for delivery to the FCT Minister, stressing that healthcare is a fundamental right.

She highlighted worsening global financial protection, with 2 billion people facing financial hardship and 1.3 billion pushed into poverty by health expenses.

Belgore called for a legal framework for the FCT Health Insurance Agency, investments in digital innovations, improved public health infrastructure, and solutions to human resource gaps to enhance healthcare delivery.

She also called for equity funding from the FCT Consolidated Revenue Fund to support the enrollment of poor and vulnerable populations.

The awareness road walk, which began at the Federal Secretariat and concluded at the FCT Administration Secretariat, included the distribution of UHC flyers and sensitisation materials to the public.

In a similar development, the FCT Primary Health Care (PHC) system emerged as runner-up for “Best Performing and Most Improved State” at the 2nd Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Gala held in Abuja.