In a renewed effort to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and expand access to quality medical services for residents, particularly those in rural communities and the informal sector, the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) has inaugurated a Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) Task Team to spearhead the implementation of the scheme across the state.
The initiative was unveiled on Wednesday July 29, 2026 during a stakeholders workshop at the PLASCHEMA headquarters in Jos and is expected to bring affordable health insurance closer to communities by encouraging households to contribute affordable premiums in exchange for access to essential healthcare services when needed.
Speaking while inaugurating the committee, the Director-General of PLASCHEMA Dr. Dawal Humphrey kwande describes community-based health insurance as a critical pillar in achieving Universal Health Coverage, especially at a time when rising poverty and economic hardship continue to limit access to healthcare.
According to him, the programme will begin with a six-month pilot phase in 34 wards across the state before being expanded to other communities.
The Director-General charged members of the newly inaugurated task team to be dedicated, transparent, innovative and committed to the assignment, stressing that they have a one-year mandate to develop and drive a sustainable community-based health insurance model for Plateau State.
He further urged the committee to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth groups, community-based organisations and other stakeholders to build public confidence and encourage enrolment in the scheme.
He noted that the success of the initiative would depend largely on the committee’s ability to mobilise communities, strengthen partnerships and ensure that quality healthcare services accompany enrolment into the insurance scheme.
Also speaking, the Plateau State Commissioner for Health Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong reaffirmed Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery through sustainable health financing initiatives.
He said the community-based health insurance programme would significantly improve access to healthcare in rural communities and increase enrolment into the state’s health insurance scheme, resulting in better health outcomes for residents.
The commissioner commended the Director-General and management of PLASCHEMA for providing the leadership needed to expand health insurance coverage across Plateau State.
The CBHI Task Team comprises one representative each from the Plateau State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Plateau State Hospitals Management Board, Plateau State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, Ministry of Health, National Health Insurance Authority , and National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Also serving on the Task Team is a representative each from the Plateau State Bureau of Statistics, Civil Society Organisations, PIDAN, the State Health Educator, and the World Health Organisation , Pharm. Joel Godgyen and Dr. Freeman Miri are also members of the Task Team.
Earlier, the agency’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Julfa Jude Nden, presented PLASCHEMA’s readiness assessment for the implementation of the initiative.
He disclosed that an assessment conducted by the agency in October last year showed that PLASCHEMA possesses the institutional capacity to implement the programme successfully.
According to him, the assessment identified the agency’s strengths to include committed leadership, skilled personnel, a decentralised operational structure across the local government areas, a robust ICT platform, an effective monitoring and evaluation system and existing engagement with community structures.
He added that strong political support from the state government and growing stakeholder interest provide further opportunities for the successful rollout of the scheme.
Stakeholders at the meeting also reviewed the experience of the Shiwer Health Insurance Scheme, a community-based health insurance initiative that has operated for about a decade in Plateau State.
The review highlighted the initiative achievements, including flexible premium payment options through cash and farm produce, diaspora support, expanded benefit packages and prudent financial management, while identifying poor public awareness, irregular premium payments, inadequate local government support and weak financial management as some of the challenges affecting community health insurance programmes.
Participants at the workshop which comprises leaders from healthcare facility, NHIA, CSOs, media professionals recommended stronger governance structures, continuous community sensitisation, flexible premium payment options, diversified funding sources and sustained government support as critical measures for ensuring the sustainability of the programme.
Representatives of civil society organisations Rev. Christopher Damcher pledged the support CSOs to sustained advocacy and community mobilisation to ensure that vulnerable persons and underserved communities benefit from the scheme.
The committee is expected to work with traditional, religious, women and youth groups across the state over the next one year to deepen community participation and drive enrolment into the Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme.
