The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged the Zamfara government to include the children of retired state and local government workers in its health insurance programme.

Isah Ibrahim, the social policy specialist from UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, made this appeal during a quarterly meeting of the State Technical Working Group (TWG) on social protection in Gusau on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by representatives from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), TWG members, the Zamfara Social Protection Platform (ZSPP), and the media.

During the meeting, representatives from social protection implementation MDAs provided updates on the achievements, challenges, and opportunities related to social protection programmes within the state.

Mr Ibrahim emphasised that including the children of retirees in the health insurance scheme would further the state government’s commitment to universal health coverage.

He also noted that it would ensure the fulfilment of children’s rights to healthcare, in line with the state’s child protection laws.

He pointed out that excluding children from the civil servants’ health insurance programme was in conflict with both the National Health Insurance Act and the State Health Contributory Management Agency law.

According to the law, public employees are entitled to register themselves, their spouses, and up to four biological children under the age of 18 in the National Health Insurance Scheme.

“Out of the 62,547 state and local government workers registered with the state health contributory agency, none have been allowed to register their children,” Mr Ibrahim noted.

Mr Ibrahim reassured attendees of UNICEF’s ongoing support for social protection programmes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable families.

In his remarks, the permanent secretary of the state ministry of budget and planning, Sani Bukkuyum, reiterated the commitment of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration to strengthening social protection in the state.

Mr Bukkuyum, who is also the chairman of the state TWG, emphasised the importance of effective coordination among stakeholders to achieve the goals of social protection.

“Social protection is everyone’s responsibility, and it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to achieve the desired outcomes,” he said.

He also acknowledged the successful partnership between the Zamfara government and UNICEF in promoting social protection programmes.

“I want to commend UNICEF’s efforts in supporting social protection initiatives in the state.

“The Zamfara government remains committed to providing all necessary support to our partners for the development of the state,” Mr Bukkuyum said.

(NAN)