The Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency (TSCHIA) has announced that over 112,000 residents have been successfully enrolled in the state’s health insurance scheme, marking a major stride toward achieving universal health coverage.

The Executive Secretary of TSCHIA, Pharmacist Jacobs Akenzukpi, disclosed this on the weekend during a press briefing held in Jalingo, the state capital.

He described the milestone as evidence of growing public trust in the scheme and reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to making healthcare accessible and affordable to all Tarabans.

“Whether you are a civil servant, trader, student, indigene, or non-indigene, the vision of TSCHIA is to bring everyone under a safety net of affordable healthcare,” Akenzukpi said.

He credited Governor Agbu Kefas for providing strong leadership in the health sector, noting that the governor has directed the Agency to ensure coverage for both the formal and informal sectors, including hard-to-reach rural communities.

Special focus, he said, has been placed on vulnerable groups such as children under five, the elderly (60 years and above), persons living with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

From its inception in 2019, the scheme, he said, has grown from a single enrollee to 112,739 as of the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a growth rate of over 184 percent.

“Health services under the scheme are currently available in all 168 political wards in the state, with enrollees receiving care through their local Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs),” he said.

TSCHIA, which serves as Taraba’s equivalent of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), according to him, operates a contributory funding model involving federal, state, and donor support.

He also highlighted the role of strategic partnerships with organizations such as USAID (PRO-Health), UNICEF, and CEmONC/VVF in advancing enrollment campaigns and service delivery.

He also announced that the Agency has concluded arrangements to commence enrollment for the formal sector workforce, following negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other organized labour unions.

“We are only awaiting the Governor’s final approval. Once that is secured, we’ll begin implementation across the public service,” he said.

“The scheme has also extended to the education sector, with 565 students already enrolled at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Jalingo. More tertiary institutions are expected to join in the near future,” he added.

Pharm. Akenzukpi commended Governor Kefas for his consistent payment of counterpart funds and unwavering support for healthcare reforms.

“His Excellency understands that health is wealth. His leadership has been instrumental in driving the Agency’s success and ensuring access to quality healthcare, especially for the most vulnerable,” he added.