Kano State’s Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has announced a plan to enrol at least 6,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients into its vulnerable‑group health insurance scheme. The move, disclosed by KSCHMA Executive Secretary Dr Rahila Mukhtar during an advocacy visit by the Kano TB Network and the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, aims to lower financial barriers to diagnosis, medication and other essential services for people living with TB.
Dr Mukhtar said the agency, which already provides coverage for people living with HIV, will extend the scheme to TB patients in an effort to improve treatment access and curb disease transmission across the state. “Tuberculosis remains a major public health challenge that requires urgent intervention and strong collaboration among stakeholders,” she noted, emphasizing the need for coordinated action to ensure patients receive adequate care.
The initiative arrives as Kano continues to bear one of the highest TB burdens in Nigeria, with recent reports estimating nearly 34,000 cases within the year. By integrating TB patients into the health insurance programme, KSCHMA hopes to reduce out‑of‑pocket expenses that often delay or prevent treatment, particularly among low‑income families.
Sunusi Hashim, coordinator of the Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, praised the agency’s commitment, describing the enrollment target as a significant step toward strengthening the state’s response to TB. He called for sustained partnership among government bodies, development agencies and civil society to address TB and other infectious diseases more effectively.
KSCHMA’s broadened focus reflects a wider trend in Nigerian health policy toward inclusive financing mechanisms that target vulnerable populations. While the success of the enrollment drive will depend on outreach, verification processes and the capacity of health facilities to deliver timely care, officials say the scheme is designed to complement existing TB control programmes and align with national objectives to reduce TB incidence.
The agency has not disclosed a timeline for completing the enrollment or the specific criteria for eligibility under the vulnerable‑group classification. Nonetheless, the commitment signals a proactive approach by Kano State to integrate disease‑specific interventions within broader health insurance frameworks, potentially offering a model for other high‑burden regions.
As the enrollment effort unfolds, stakeholders will monitor its impact on TB treatment outcomes and financial risk protection for patients. Continued collaboration and adequate funding will be critical to translating the policy into measurable health gains for Kano’s most at‑risk residents.
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