By George Ozalla
More than 150 journalists in the Federal Capital Territory have been enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme in a move targetted at improving access to healthcare for media professionals in Abuja.
The development also came with a call by the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, urging philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business leaders to sponsor health insurance coverage for journalists.
The initiative was championed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, as part of efforts to fulfil her campaign promise to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of journalists in the territory.
Speaking at the official launch of the scheme in Abuja, Ike described the initiative as a significant milestone for the NUJ FCT Council and a step toward protecting journalists who dedicate their lives to informing society.
She said the programme marked the first time the council was implementing a health insurance initiative specifically designed to support the welfare of journalists in the Federal Capital Territory, noting that members of the media often play critical roles in shaping national discourse while their own welfare is frequently overlooked.
Ike expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., for supporting the programme and helping to initiate the scheme. She also commended the Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Fasawe, for providing 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members.
She further acknowledged the Permanent Secretary of the secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, who pledged to sponsor 50 additional journalists in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali.
According to her, the combined contributions have enabled about 200 journalists in the FCT to benefit from health insurance coverage, a development she said would significantly reduce the financial burden of healthcare and encourage journalists to prioritise their health.
Speaking at the event, Fasawe emphasised the importance of universal health coverage and announced an additional 50 health insurance slots for journalists, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to about 65 per cent of NUJ members in the FCT.
She noted that access to basic healthcare should not be treated as a luxury and called on individuals and leaders across sectors to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance for members of the press.
Fasawe also highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to addressing maternal and child mortality, stating that the administration has adopted a zero tolerance approach to maternal deaths.
She disclosed that pregnant women in the territory, particularly vulnerable groups, can access free antenatal care and delivery services, including caesarean sections, at primary healthcare centres across the FCT.
According to her, about 480 of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT have now been covered under the health insurance scheme, expressing optimism that the programme would soon achieve full coverage.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Alhassan Yahya, described the initiative as a critical intervention for journalists. He noted that available studies indicate that less than 1 percent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, stressing that the scheme would help address the gap.
Yahya commended the leadership of the NUJ FCT Council under Grace Ike for what he described as a commendable initiative aimed at improving the welfare of journalists.
The event took place during the NUJ FCT Congress in Abuja and was attended by more than 450 members of the union. Also present was the Director of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Salamatu Belgore, alongside other stakeholders.
Later, the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Disu paid a surprise visit to the Union’s Secretariat where he urged for media-police patnership.
