Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expanded access to affordable and quality healthcare by enrolling 10,000 cottage traders and street hawkers into the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Scheme (KSCHS), reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and social protection.
The enrollment exercise was formally flagged off today at the Kano State Cottage Trade and Street Hawking Agency, No. 127 Foundation Road, Farm Centre, Kano.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Kano State Cottage Trade and Street Hawking Agency, Honourable Abubakar Ahmad Bichi, commended the State Government for prioritizing the welfare of informal sector operators.
He noted that access to healthcare is critical to sustaining livelihoods, enhancing productivity, and improving the overall wellbeing of cottage traders and street hawkers.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), Dr. Rahila Aliyu Muktar, explained that the initiative is designed to protect beneficiaries from the burden of out-of-pocket medical expenses while guaranteeing access to quality healthcare services across accredited health facilities in Kano State.
She emphasized that the enrollment drive aligns with the vision of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to deepen universal health coverage and ensure that no resident of the State is left behind.
Delivering his remarks, the Kano State Head of Service, Musa Abdullahi, reaffirmed the State Government’s resolve to prioritize the well-being of both formal and informal sector workers, describing good health as fundamental to productivity, economic stability, and sustainable development.
He praised KSCHMA for its structured, transparent, and people-oriented approach to extending healthcare protection to vulnerable groups.
Participants at the event were provided with clear guidance on enrollment procedures, service utilization, and access to accredited health facilities, as part of efforts to ensure seamless implementation of the Scheme.
The formal flag-off of the enrollment exercise was performed on behalf of the State Government by the Head of Service, Musa Abdullahi, marking the official enrollment of the beneficiaries.
The enrollment process was facilitated by the KSCHMA ICT Department to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
KSCHMA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding universal health coverage and urged informal sector operators across the State to take full advantage of the Scheme for a healthier and more secure future.
The traders and street hawkers expressed their appreciation to Governor Yusuf for the intervention and for prioritizing the health and welfare of informal sector workers in Kano State.
Credit: Aminu Ahmad Turaki
