A total of 198,810 residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been successfully enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) in the past year, with 10,065 of them being pregnant women who were registered for free. This was disclosed in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday.
The statement highlighted a remarkable achievement under the Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration, noting that the FCTA had exceeded its annual FHIS enrolment target of 25,000 by 17,444, surpassing the goal by 44 percent. This significant increase in enrolment reflects the administration’s strong commitment to improving access to healthcare for residents.
The statement further emphasized that 10,065 of the enrolled residents, who include vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, benefited from free registration, allowing them to access a wide range of services through the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in the FCT. These services are part of the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services, which covers essential healthcare such as primary preventive care, emergency services, and secondary-level treatments like dental, mental health, eye, ear, nose, and throat care, physiotherapy, surgeries, laboratory tests, and radiological investigations, including ultrasound and X-rays.
Olayinka also pointed out that the free registration initiative, which began in February this year, is still ongoing, urging more residents, particularly vulnerable individuals and pregnant women, to take advantage of the scheme. The free coverage ensures that all registered pregnant women in the FCT will continue to receive free health services, including health education, medical consultations, routine antenatal care, laboratory tests, and delivery, through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund at PHCs across all six area councils in the FCT.
The statement further mentioned that these pregnant women would also be covered for referrals to secondary care, such as caesarean sections, blood transfusions, and the treatment of complications like eclampsia at the 14 General Hospitals in the FCT. The services, including childbirth-related expenses, will be provided at no cost to the patients.
Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, also spoke at an event marking the 2025 World Health Day at Gwarinpa District Hospital. She highlighted the efforts of the FCTA in reducing maternal and infant mortality. A key component of these efforts is the approval of free health insurance coverage for all pregnant women residing in the FCT, ensuring comprehensive coverage for both vaginal and caesarean deliveries. This initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative, which maintains a strong stance against maternal and infant deaths.
As part of the initiative, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Centres. These hospitals will provide free caesarean sections and other emergency obstetric services, further ensuring that maternal and infant health care is accessible and free of charge to those in need.
This expanded access to health insurance and the provision of free maternal and infant care are expected to have a significant impact on reducing maternal and infant mortality in the FCT, aligning with the broader goals of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
