The Mandate Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, has announced 150 free health insurance enrollments for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, as part of efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare.
The Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, also pledged to sponsor an additional 50 journalists as his personal contribution in honour of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, a former Head of the Press and Public Relations Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development who died in the line of duty.
The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja when a delegation of the NUJ FCT Council paid a courtesy visit to the Secretariat.
With the combined pledges, a total of 200 free health insurance enrollments will be provided to NUJ members, with expectations that more stakeholders may support the initiative.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Fasawe described the gesture as part of ongoing efforts by the FCTA to strengthen universal health coverage and improve healthcare accessibility across the Federal Capital Territory. She emphasized the critical role of the media in promoting health awareness and public enlightenment.
According to her, health promotion prioritizes prevention, noting that journalists who benefit from the scheme will serve as ambassadors in raising awareness about the importance of health insurance.
“Prevention is better than cure. If journalists are well informed about our scheme, benefit from it, and access free healthcare services, the message naturally spreads,” she said.
She explained that the FCT Health Insurance Scheme provides enrollees access to healthcare services for one year at accredited facilities upon payment of an annual premium of N22,500, covering services such as deliveries, surgeries, and emergency care.
Dr. Fasawe noted that poor health-seeking behaviour among residents is often linked to financial constraints and lack of trust in the system, stressing that the administration is committed to rebuilding public confidence through improved service delivery.
“Health is wealth. When we say we will provide healthcare, we will deliver,” she added.
In his remarks, Dr. Adam said he would personally fund the enrollment of 50 NUJ members annually and called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand coverage.
He advocated the creation of a comprehensive database to attract philanthropists and partners capable of increasing enrollment figures beyond the current pledge.
“I am making this contribution in honour of my late brother, Mohammed Alkali, who was killed in the line of duty,” he said.
Adam also highlighted welfare challenges facing journalists, noted that poor remuneration in parts of the media industry can affect professional objectivity, and stressed the need for greater support for media practitioners.
He encouraged the NUJ leadership to prioritize vulnerable journalists who cannot afford healthcare as beneficiaries of the free insurance scheme.
Responding, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, commended the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for expanding access to healthcare, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, and promoting inclusive health services.
“Your initiatives have touched countless lives, from vulnerable families to civil servants, ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
Ike reaffirmed the union’s commitment to promoting public awareness on health insurance benefits and advocating improved service delivery. She also appealed for rebates to enable more journalists enroll in the scheme, citing financial constraints as a major challenge within the profession.
She called for sustained collaboration between the media and health authorities to combat misinformation, boost enrollment drives, and ensure healthcare becomes a right rather than a privilege for all residents of the FCT.
