By Fatima Saka
Abuja — More than 150 journalists in the nation’s capital have been enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), in a move aimed at improving access to healthcare for media professionals in Abuja.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Grace Ike, forms part of efforts to fulfil her campaign promise to prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of journalists in the territory.
Speaking during the official launch of the scheme in Abuja, Ike described the programme as a historic milestone for the NUJ FCT Council, noting that it represents the first health insurance initiative specifically designed for journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Today marks a historic moment for the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council,” she said. “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 play a vital role in shaping national discourse by amplifying citizens’ voices and drawing attention to pressing societal issues, yet their welfare is often 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 the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, for providing 150 free health insurance slots for NUJ members.
“Our sincere gratitude also goes to the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Adam, who personally pledged to sponsor 50 additional journalists in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali. This touching gesture speaks volumes about your dedication to the welfare of the media community,” Ike said.
She noted that the combined contributions have enabled about 200 journalists in the FCT to benefit from health insurance coverage, helping to reduce the financial burden of healthcare while encouraging journalists to prioritise their health.
Speaking at the event, Fasawe emphasised the importance of universal health coverage and urged philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business leaders to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance for them.
“Basic healthcare is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” she said. “Health is a collective responsibility, and it must be achievable, affordable and accessible to all.”
Fasawe also announced an additional 50 health insurance slots for journalists, raising the total number of beneficiaries to about 65 per cent of NUJ members in the FCT.
She further highlighted the commitment of the FCT Administration under the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to tackling maternal and child mortality, noting that the administration has 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 no reason that at the point of delivery either the mother or the child should suffer harm,” she said.
The Mandate Secretary disclosed that pregnant women, particularly vulnerable ones in the FCT, can access free antenatal care and delivery services, including caesarean sections, at primary healthcare centres across the territory.
She revealed that about 480 out of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT have now been covered under the scheme and expressed optimism that full coverage would soon be achieved.
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya, described the initiative as a critical intervention that would significantly improve healthcare access for journalists.
Yahya noted that studies indicate that less than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have any form of health insurance, stressing that the new 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,” he said.
The event, which took place during the NUJ FCT Congress, attracted over 450 members and was attended by the Director of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Salamatu Belgore, and other stakeholders.
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Beneficiaries at the event expressed appreciation to the NUJ FCT Council leadership and the FCT Health Secretariat, describing the scheme as a timely intervention that would ease the burden of healthcare costs for journalists.
The initiative is widely seen as a significant step toward strengthening journalists’ welfare and advancing the broader goal of universal health coverage in the Federal Capital Territory.
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