By our correspondant
As Nigeria joined the world to commemorate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2025, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) celebrated a major milestone in healthcare delivery, with the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) surpassing its annual enrolment target.
Speaking at the UHC Day event in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Baba Gana Adams, announced that FHIS had enrolled 69,512 new beneficiaries with valid National Identification Numbers (NINs) as of November 2025. The figure includes more than 33,000 vulnerable individuals, exceeding the Renewed Hope Agenda’s annual target of 25,000 by over 8,000 enrollees.
“The theme of this year’s UHC Day, ‘Unaffordable health costs? We’re tired and sick of it!’, speaks directly to the urgent need to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all. Health is not a privilege, it is a right. Our administration takes this responsibility seriously and remains committed to achieving health for all, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3.8),” Adams said.
He highlighted FHIS’s collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as a key factor in revalidating and enrolling beneficiaries, commending the scheme for its continuous community engagement, sensitisation campaigns, and prioritisation of vulnerable populations. “These initiatives bring us closer to our goal of ensuring every resident has reliable access to affordable healthcare. Today’s event is not only happening here in Garki Market but simultaneously across all six area councils of the FCT, underscoring our commitment to leave no one behind,” he added.
Adams emphasised the importance of bringing healthcare to economic hubs such as markets, where traders, artisans, and daily customers often have limited opportunities to seek medical attention. “Through these outreach programs, residents can access free screenings, health education, and enrolment in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme,” he said.
Earlier, Acting Director of FHIS, Salamatu Belgore, welcomed beneficiaries to the sensitisation walk and medical outreach, noting that parallel activities were held in motor parks and town halls across the FCT. She stressed that health insurance is a vital shield against financial shocks, enabling access to care without delaying treatment or resorting to borrowing.
Belgore praised FHIS staff, FCTA personnel, media partners, and the Garki International Market leadership for their collaboration in advancing UHC in the FCT. The outreach focused on screening for common non‑communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, treatment of minor ailments, early detection interventions, and enrolment in health insurance.
