USAID allocates N61m for health insurance of 5,085 in Taraba

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday allocated over N61 million to cover health insurance premiums for 5,085 beneficiaries in Taraba State.

The initiative, as gathered by The Guardian, is part of the USAID-funded Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA-4) project.

Aimed at supporting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their households, the health insurance initiative was said to have been designed to provide critical access to healthcare services for those most in need.

Speaking, the Chief of Party of the USAID-funded ICHSSA-4 project, Dr Joseph Inyang, said the project contributes to improved health outcomes and reduces the financial burden on vulnerable families spread across the state.

The project, which he said is being implemented in collaboration with local partners, according to Inyang, underscores USAID’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems and supporting disadvantaged communities in the state and in the country at large.

Reaffirming the project’s commitment, the organisation, according to him, will continue to work round the clock to bring the much-desired smile to the faces of the vulnerable spread across the nooks and crannies of Taraba.

“We are dedicated to supporting state governments and local partners in providing comprehensive and high-quality services to vulnerable populations,” he said.

Announcing that the five-year initiative is implemented by Pro-Health International as the Prime and Catholic Relief Services as a technical partner, the project, as made known by him, is designed to mitigate the impact of HIV and other causes of vulnerability in Taraba, as well as in five other states.

The states, he said, include Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara, adding that “these interventions are designed to improve the quality of life for children and families in Taraba by empowering OVC and their households through sustainable economic growth and comprehensive and integrated service delivery.”

Inyang, who was of the view that “together, we can create a future where every child can thrive and reach their full potential,” said, “This intervention, combining health insurance, cash transfers, and vocational empowerment, provides crucial support to improve the quality of life for children and families in Taraba State,” stating that, “It also lays the foundation for long-term economic empowerment for vulnerable households.”

The official launch event, which took place in the Jalingo metropolis, as noticed by our correspondent, featured testimonials from vocational training graduates, and the presentation of health insurance cards and start-up kits to beneficiaries.