The Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the donation of 200 free health insurance enrollments to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
​The initiative was unveiled on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the NUJ FCT leadership to the Secretariat’s headquarters in Abuja.
​The Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, initially offered 150 slots to the union as part of the administration’s drive toward universal health coverage.
​Following her announcement, the Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, pledged to personally fund an additional 50 slots. Dr. Adam noted that his contribution is in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, a former press lead at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture who was killed in the line of duty.
​”Prevention is better than cure,” Dr. Fasawe stated. “If journalists are well-informed about our scheme, benefit from it, and access free healthcare services, the message naturally spreads.”
​Key Details of the FCT Health Insurance Scheme
​Dr. Fasawe emphasized that the FCT Health Insurance Scheme is designed to bridge the gap created by financial constraints.
The annual standard premium is N22,500 which includes consultations, surgeries, deliveries, and emergency care at accredited facilities.
The sponsored slots guarantee free access to services for one full year.
​Dr. Adam urged the NUJ leadership to prioritize the “most vulnerable” members who cannot afford out-of-pocket medical expenses. He also called for a comprehensive database to help attract further philanthropic support, aiming to eventually increase the number of sponsored journalists to 300.
