Buni Unveils Lifeline For Retirees, Approves Free Healthcare Across Yobe

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has approved free medical treatment for all retired state and local government workers as part of efforts to improve healthcare access for senior citizens across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr Babagana Tijjani, disclosed the development during an interview, describing the initiative as a major welfare programme targeted at easing the healthcare burden on retirees.

According to Tijjani, about 20,000 retirees have already been enrolled in the first phase of the programme, with registration currently ongoing in all 17 local government areas of the state.

He explained that the free healthcare initiative forms part of Governor Buni’s equity programme designed to provide medical support for vulnerable residents, particularly former public servants.

Tijjani said beneficiaries would receive medical treatment without making any financial contribution under the scheme.

He also revealed that over the past seven years, the agency has enrolled approximately 45,000 state and local government employees under its formal sector health insurance programme.

Under the contributory arrangement, civil servants pay 1.75 per cent of their monthly salaries, while the Yobe State Government contributes 3.25 per cent on their behalf.

Despite the total enrolment figure, Tijjani noted that the agency’s current active database reflects about 35,000 workers because some beneficiaries have retired, died or exited the state’s civil service.

He acknowledged that the increasing number of enrollees has placed additional pressure on healthcare facilities across the state, creating challenges in meeting growing demand for medical services.

However, he assured residents that the state government is taking steps to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the capacity of medical facilities to provide quality services to all beneficiaries under the scheme.