The Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA-4) project, in partnership with the Bauchi State Government, the Bauchi State Contributory Health Management Agency, and the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs, Child Development and Social Welfare, has unveiled a groundbreaking program to support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their families in Bauchi State.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony for the health insurance scheme and cash transfer, Dr. Joseph Inyang, Chief Party of the project, explained that the five-year initiative aims to mitigate the impact of HIV and other drivers of vulnerability through comprehensive healthcare services. The project is implemented by Pro-Health International and will be executed in six states, including Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
According to Dr. Inyang, the program is designed to uplift the lives of vulnerable children and their families by offering sustainable economic opportunities and a range of integrated services. The intervention includes payment of health insurance premiums for over 1,201 beneficiaries, totaling N10 million, and a cash transfer scheme of N30 million for 1,503 beneficiaries, with each recipient receiving N20,000 monthly.
Bauchi State’s First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, praised the project’s potential for positive change and empowerment, stressing that the present administration is determined to enhance healthcare services and the welfare of the people, especially the vulnerable and underserved.
Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engr. Muhammad Haruna Barde, applauded the ICHSSA-4 project, saying it marks a significant milestone in Bauchi State’s collective effort to support orphans and vulnerable children and their households. He emphasized the importance of health insurance in ensuring that the most vulnerable citizens have access to healthcare without financial strain.
Representatives from various ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Health, BACATMA, BASHMA, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, USAID, Society for Family Health, and FAcE PaM, pledged support for the project’s sustainability, ensuring continued benefits for the state’s vulnerable populations.
The launch of the ICHSSA-4 project demonstrates the commitment of the Bauchi State Government and its partners to improving the lives of vulnerable children and their families, and ensuring access to quality healthcare services in the state.