The Jigawa State Government has issued a stern warning against the abuse of its free treatment programme for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), urging stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of the initiative.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Technical Adviser on Health, Isa Muhammad Surajo, who emphasized the need to protect the programme in order to ensure seamless and quality service delivery to eligible beneficiaries.
Surajo cautioned health officials, hospital management teams and community leaders across the state to ensure that only qualified patients benefit from the scheme.
According to him, the directive followed the introduction of the health initiative by the administration of Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi, which was designed to ease the burden of long-term illnesses on vulnerable residents of the state.
He explained that under the programme, patients diagnosed with Diabetes, Hypertension and Sickle Cell Disease are entitled to free medical care as both outpatients and inpatients.
The adviser added that the treatment package covers comprehensive services, including laboratory investigations, radiological examinations such as X-rays and ultrasounds, provision of essential medications and physiotherapy.
Surajo noted that the free services are currently being offered in selected public health facilities across the state. These include General Hospitals in Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure, Ringim, Birnin Kudu, Jahun, Babura, Kafin Hausa and Birniwa, as well as Bulangu and Gwaram Cottage Hospitals.
The statement further directed that “all Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants in the health sector, hospital management teams and host communities are hereby mandated to ensure that this privilege is not abused by non-beneficiaries.”
The Jigawa State Government reaffirmed that the free treatment programme is aimed at expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare, particularly for residents living with chronic illnesses.
