Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Yobe State Government has approved the enrollment of state and local government retirees into the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA) Social Equity Programme, a landmark decision that will provide senior citizens with access to comprehensive, affordable, and quality healthcare services through YSCHMA-accredited health facilities across the state. The approval, granted by Governor Mai Mala Buni on Monday, 13 July 2026, follows a proposal submitted by YSCHMA to extend health insurance coverage to pensioners, marking a significant milestone in the state's efforts to strengthen social protection and expand access to healthcare.
Announcing the development, the Executive Secretary of YSCHMA, Dr Babagana Tijjani, stated that the initiative is designed to eliminate the financial burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure among pensioners. "This approval is another bold demonstration of Governor Mai Mala Buni's commitment to protecting the health and wellbeing of the people of Yobe State. By bringing retirees under the Social Equity Programme, the government is ensuring that our senior citizens can access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship," he said. According to Dr Tijjani, the approval reflects Governor Buni's unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of retirees and ensuring that senior citizens continue to enjoy quality healthcare after retirement.
The Executive Secretary noted that the inclusion of retirees is fully aligned with the administration's healthcare reform agenda and represents another major step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, ensuring that no eligible resident is left behind in accessing essential health services. He described the decision as unprecedented in the history of healthcare financing in Yobe State and commended Governor Buni for his visionary leadership, strong political will, and sustained investment in people-centred policies that continue to improve health outcomes across the state.
Dr Tijjani further reaffirmed the agency's commitment to the successful implementation of the programme through a transparent enrolment process and close collaboration with pension unions, relevant government institutions, and healthcare providers, to ensure seamless access to healthcare services for eligible retirees. Established under Yobe State Law No. 7 of 2019, YSCHMA is mandated to implement the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Scheme and ensure equitable, accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services for all residents of Yobe State.
This latest approval builds on the state's ongoing efforts to expand health insurance coverage across Yobe State. The agency has previously enrolled over 300,000 individuals, including civil servants and citizens, into the scheme, allowing patients to pay only 10 per cent of their medical costs. The state has also enrolled 30,240 vulnerable individuals under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund initiative. With the inclusion of retirees into the Social Equity Programme, Yobe State continues to make steady progress towards its goal of ensuring that all citizens, including senior citizens, have access to quality healthcare without facing financial hardship.
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