By Mercy Gadia
No fewer than 150 journalists in the nation’s capital have been enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme as stakeholders intensify efforts to improve healthcare access for media professionals in Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, therefore called on philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business leaders to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.
The initiative was championed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Grace Ike, as 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 union and a major step towards safeguarding journalists who dedicate their lives to informing society.
She said, “Today marks a historic moment for the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council. 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.”
According to her, journalists often serve as first responders to 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 members of the union, describing the gesture as a demonstration of compassion and commitment to improved healthcare access.
The NUJ chairman further thanked the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Adam, who 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 and encourage 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 added.
Speaking at the event, 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. Health is a collective responsibility and it must be achievable, affordable and accessible to all,” she said.
Fasawe further highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to tackling maternal and child mortality, stressing that the administration had 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, and 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, could 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.
“Buy health insurance for a member of the press today and you will be heard loud and clear because you are supporting those who tell your stories to the public.”
Fasawe revealed that about 480 out of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT had now been covered under the scheme and expressed optimism that the figure would soon reach full coverage.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya, commended the initiative, describing it as a critical intervention that would improve healthcare access for journalists.
He noted that studies indicate that less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, stressing that the scheme would help bridge 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.
The event, which took place during the NUJ FCT Congress, had over 450 members in attendance, including the Director of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Salamatu Belgore, among other stakeholders.
Beneficiaries who spoke at the event described the initiative as a timely intervention that would ease the burden of healthcare costs for journalists in the territory.