More than 150 journalists in the nation’s capital have been enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), marking a major step toward improving healthcare access for media professionals in Abuja.
The development came as the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, and the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahya, called on philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business leaders to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.
The initiative, championed by the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, forms 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 programme as a historic milestone for the NUJ FCT Council and a major step toward safeguarding journalists who dedicate their lives to informing society.
“Today marks a historic moment for the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council,” she said. “For the first time in the history of our council, we are flagging off a health insurance initiative specifically designed to support the welfare and wellbeing of journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.”
She noted that journalists often serve as first responders in national discourse by amplifying the voices of citizens and drawing attention to pressing societal issues, yet their welfare is frequently overlooked.
Ike expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Akin Rotimi Jr., for supporting the programme and helping to initiate the health insurance scheme.
She also commended Fasawe for providing 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members, described the gesture as a demonstration of compassion and commitment to improved healthcare access.
The NUJ chairman further revealed that the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Babagana Adam, pledged to sponsor an additional 50 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 while encouraging journalists to prioritise their health.
“As journalists, we understand the power of information. When we experience the benefits of initiatives like this firsthand, we become stronger advocates for the people we serve,” she said.
In her remarks, Fasawe emphasised the importance of universal health coverage and pledged continued support for journalists in the territory.
She also 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.
“Basic healthcare is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” she said. “Health is a collective responsibility, and it must be achievable, affordable and accessible to all.”
Fasawe highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to tackling maternal and child mortality, stressed that the administration has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to maternal deaths.
“In the FCT, our minister has declared absolutely zero tolerance for maternal mortality. There is no reason a woman should labour in vain. There is no reason that at the point of delivery either the mother or the child should suffer harm,” she said.
She disclosed that pregnant women, particularly vulnerable ones in the FCT, can access free antenatal care and delivery services, including caesarean sections, at primary healthcare centres across the territory.
“My purpose of coming here today is to ask political office holders, religious leaders and individuals who want their voices to be heard to buy health insurance for a journalist,” she added.
Fasawe revealed that about 480 out of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT have now been covered under the scheme and expressed optimism that the figure would soon reach full coverage.
Also speaking, NUJ National President Yahya described the initiative as a critical intervention that would improve healthcare access for journalists.
He noted that studies indicated that less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, stressing that the scheme would help address the gap.
“Insurance is critical to our job. Through insurance we can reduce maternal deaths, drastically cut out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and move closer to achieving universal health coverage,” Yahya said.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of her husband, Mrs. Babagana Adam, wife of the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health and Environment Secretariat, assured the union of continued collaboration and urged public-spirited individuals to support journalists.
Some beneficiaries who spoke at the event expressed appreciation to the Grace Ike-led NUJ FCT Council and the FCT Health Secretariat for the opportunity to benefit from the scheme, describing it as a timely intervention that would ease the burden of healthcare costs.
The event, which took place during the NUJ FCT Congress, had more than 450 members in attendance. Also present was the Director of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Salamatu Belgore, among other stakeholders.
The development is widely seen as a major step toward strengthening journalists’ welfare and advancing the broader goal of universal health coverage in the Federal Capital Territory.
