Kaduna State Advances Health Financing for Universal Coverage through the Kaduna Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) Symposium

17 December 2024

Last week, the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) held its inaugural Health Financing Symposium, themed “Innovative Health Financing: Paving the Path to Universal Coverage.” This event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), NGOs, and academia, to engage in meaningful discussions on advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Kaduna State.

The symposium highlighted the state’s progress in healthcare, including the renovation of health facilities and efforts to enroll 70% of vulnerable populations into the KADCHMA scheme. Key challenges discussed included the high out-of-pocket healthcare costs in the state, with 84% of healthcare financing coming from personal expenses, and the need for increased private sector participation to alleviate the financial burden on the government.

Panel discussions focused on innovative financing strategies, equity in health financing, and the role of collaboration in achieving UHC. The event also featured the unveiling of KADCHMA’s 10-year strategic plan and an award presentation to those championing health financing initiatives in the state.

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, emphasized the importance of sustainable health financing and consistent stakeholder engagement. The event marked a critical step towards achieving UHC, with a focus on increasing enrollment from vulnerable populations and improving access to quality healthcare for all.