FCT enrols 198,810 to health insurance scheme in one year

A total of 198,810 residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) in the past year, including 10,065 pregnant women who registered for free.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, stated in a Tuesday statement that since the inception of the Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), there has been a significant increase in FHIS enrollment. The annual enrollment target of 25,000 lives per annum was exceeded by 17% and 44%.

In efforts to eliminate maternal and infant mortality due to preventable causes, Olayinka noted, “Of the 198,810 residents enrolled, 10,065 vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, enjoyed free enrollment. This allows them free access to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) through Primary Health Care (PHC) Centers.”

“These services include primary preventive care, screening, primary emergency services, and secondary level care such as dental, mental, eye, ear, nose, and throat care, physiotherapy, surgeries, laboratory investigations, and radiological investigations like ultrasound scans and x-rays.”

The FCT Minister’s Spokesperson urged residents to enroll in the FHIS and highlighted that free registration for vulnerable persons, including pregnant women, which began in February this year, continues.

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He mentioned that all pregnant women who enroll through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Primary Health Care Centers across the six Area Councils in the FCT will continue to receive free health education, medical consultations, routine antenatal drugs, laboratory investigations, and delivery services.

“Referrals for secondary care, including cesarean sections, blood transfusions, and treatment of other obstetric complications such as eclampsia, are also provided at no cost to the patient through BHCPF at all 14 General Hospitals in the FCT.”

Quoting Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT on Health Services and Environment Secretariat, who spoke at an event in Gwarinpa District Hospital commemorating the 2025 World Health Day, “Under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the FCTA has intensified efforts to combat maternal and infant deaths.”

“A pivotal intervention is the approval of free health insurance coverage for all pregnant women residing in the FCT, ensuring that all childbirth-related expenses, including vaginal and cesarean deliveries, are fully covered at no cost. This initiative is part of activities marking this year’s event under the Renewed Hope Initiative, maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on maternal and infant mortality.”

“In alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEONC) centers. These facilities will also offer free cesarean sections.”