By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has enrolled a total of 198,810 residents and 10, 065 pregnant women free into the Federal Capital Territory Insurance Scheme, FHIS, in one year.
This was disclosed in a statement by FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement read that,
that since the inception of the Wike-led Administration there has been a significant increase in the FHIS enrolment, with over 100 percent of the annual enrollment target of 25,000 lives every year as against previous years records of 17 percent and 44 percent.
According to the statement, this is part of the FCTA’s resolve to end maternal and infant mortality resulting from avoidable and preventable causes.
In a breakdown 198,810 residents enrolled, 10,065 vulnerable people, including pregnant women, enjoyed free enrollment, which allows them free access, at Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres, to all services covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS).
“The services include primary preventive care, screening, primary emergency services, and secondary level care such as dental, mental, eye, ear, nose and throat care, physiotherapy, surgeries, laboratory investigations, radiological investigations such as ultrasound scan, x-rays.”
The FHIS registration commenced in February and FCT residents have been urged to key into the scheme by registering free , particularly for vulnerable people, including pregnant women.
However, pregnant women who enrolled through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres across the six Area Councils in the FCT will continue to enjoy free health education, medical consultation and treatment, routine antenatal drugs, laboratory investigations and delivery.
“Referral for secondary care including caesarean section, blood transfusion, and treatment of other obstetric complications such as eclampsia, at all the 14 General Hospitals in the FCT is also provided at no cost to the patient through the BHCPF.”
Meanwhile,the Mandate Secretary of the FCT on Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, speaking at Gwarimpa District Hospital, at the commemoration of the 2025 World Health Day, in Abuja said that “the FCTA under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike has intensified efforts to combat maternal and infant deaths.
“A key intervention is the approval of free health insurance coverage for all pregnant women residing in the FCT, ensuring that all childbirth-related expenses, including vaginal and cesarean deliveries, are fully covered at no cost.
The initiative formed part of activities marking this year’s event under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which maintains a zero-tolerance stance on maternal and infant mortality.
“In alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, several hospitals in the FCT, including Gwarinpa, Nyanya, Abaji, and Kuje General Hospitals, have been designated as Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (CEONC) centers. These facilities will also offer cesarean sections free of charge.”
