The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, has announced 150 complimentary health insurance enrollments for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the secretariat, Dr. Babagana Adam, pledged to sponsor an additional 50 members in memory of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, who formerly headed the Press and Public Relations Unit at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The disclosure was made on Tuesday in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by officials of the NUJ FCT Council to the secretariat.
With the two commitments combined, 200 journalists are set to benefit from free health insurance coverage, with hopes that more partners will support the initiative.
Dr. Fasawe said the move is part of broader efforts to widen access to affordable healthcare and deepen universal health coverage within the Federal Capital Territory.
She described the media as a vital ally in promoting health awareness and educating the public.
She explained that health promotion centers largely focus on prevention, stressing that journalists who understand and benefit from the insurance scheme would naturally help spread awareness about its importance.
“Prevention is better than cure. If journalists are well informed about our scheme, benefit from it, and access free healthcare services, the message naturally spreads,” she said.
Dr. Fasawe further noted that the FCT Health Insurance Scheme provides enrollees with one year of free healthcare services at accredited facilities upon payment of an annual premium of N22,500.
The coverage includes services such as childbirth, surgeries, and emergency care.
Dr. Fasawe acknowledged that many residents delay seeking medical attention due to financial challenges and mistrust in the system, adding that the administration is focused on restoring confidence through consistent and reliable service delivery.
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In his remarks, Dr. Babagana Adam said he would personally finance the enrollment of 50 NUJ members each year and advocated stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to expand coverage.
“We need a comprehensive database to engage more partners. Beyond government, we can mobilise philanthropists to increase enrollment figures, possibly up to 300,” he said.
He also highlighted how inadequate remuneration in parts of the media industry can affect professional objectivity, emphasizing the need to improve journalists’ welfare.
“I am also doing this contribution in honour of my late brother Mohammed Alkali, killed in the line of duty,” he added.
He urged the NUJ FCT Council leadership to prioritize the most vulnerable journalists who genuinely cannot afford healthcare as beneficiaries of the donated slots.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, praised the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for broadening access to care, reducing out-of-pocket spending, and promoting inclusive healthcare.
“Your initiatives have touched countless lives, from vulnerable families to civil servants, ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
Ike reiterated the union’s commitment to raising awareness about health insurance benefits and advocating for better service delivery.
She also appealed for possible rebates to enable more journalists enroll, noting that financial hardship remains a significant challenge within the profession.
She called for sustained collaboration to counter misinformation, strengthen enrollment campaigns, and ensure healthcare is treated as a right rather than a privilege for residents of the FCT.
