BHCPF PROGRAMME

The Vulnerable Groups Programme aims to provide health insurance coverage to those who may not have the financial capacity to pay for healthcare services. This programme is targeted at individuals and families who fall under the poverty line, such as the aged (85 years & above) pregnant women, children under the age of five, widows, indigent   and people with disabilities.

The vulnerable group programme seeks to provide coverage for a range of health services, including preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services, as well as essential medicines. The program is designed to ensure that beneficiaries can access quality healthcare services without facing financial barriers.

To enroll in the vulnerable group programme, individuals and families must fall under the categories of physically challenged, aged (85 Years & above), pregnant women, children under 5 years of age, widows and the indigent.

Benue State Health Insurance Agency (BNSHIA) selected 276 facilities across the 23 LGAs of the state. These facilities were chosen 1 facility per council ward and 150 enrollees were enrolled in each of these facilities.

Once enrolled, beneficiaries can access healthcare services from accredited healthcare facility in their council ward. Where need be, referrals will be made to the General Hospital of the LGA of resident of the enrollee. The enrollee would still not pay any money for the services utilized and is covered in the Basic Minimum Package of Healthcare Services (BMPHCS). Benue State Health Insurance Agency reimburses the secondary healthcare provider (secondary facility) for the services rendered to their beneficiaries when referred.

The vulnerable groups programme is an important intervention in the healthcare sector in Nigeria, aimed at ensuring that the most vulnerable members of society have access to quality healthcare services. It is also an important step towards achieving universal health coverage in the country.