ASATTAHIR International Foundation has today 14th February 2023, participated in a One-Day State, Ward Development Committee (WDC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Media advocacy on the Formal and Informal Sectors Enrollment held at Sokoto Guest Inn.
The Foundation was represented by its Head of Programs and Research Rufus Yagkong. The Director of Programs (SOCHEMA) Mal. Abubakar Hassan outlined the objectives of the activity which was centered on engaging stakeholders to sensitize the general public on the benefits of the scheme and to advocate for the implementation of the 5% contributory deductions for the Formal sector.
Giving the opening remarks, the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Sokoto Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (SOCHEMA) Dr. Amamatu Yusuf welcomed all participants to the program. She made it known during the activity that the scheme is open to all people residing in Sokoto state irrespective of their status or state of origin.
She also commended Integrated Health Program (IHP) for the effective collaboration and synergy with Sokoto state government as well as their notable contributions in improving the overall health outcomes in the state.
Dr. Usman Al-Rashid, the state Director Integrated Health Program (IHP) Sokoto while giving his goodwill message commended SOCHEMA for organizing such a media round table and he charged the media outlets, Civil Society Organizations and WDCs to raise awareness on the services and benefits of enrolling into the scheme as well as advocate to the government for the implementation of the 5% contributory deductions for the Formal sector in the state so as to bridge the wide gap created by poverty which prevents the majority of the population in Sokoto from accessing quality healthcare services.
In the same vein, the chairman Coalition of NGOs (CONS) Sokoto, Mallam Bello Gwadabawa applauded Sokoto state government for establishing and commissioning the scheme in 2018.
He noted that there are already good number of member organizations of the Coalition of NGOs that have been actively implementing various programs in collaboration with numerous stakeholders across the lengths and breadths of the 23 LGAs of Sokoto state. He assured that member organizations will streamline their activities across advocacy and sensitization of the general public on process and benefits of enrolling into SOCHEMA.
The program was held with participants cutting across Civil Society Organizations under the umbrella of the Coalition of NGOs, representatives of Ward Development Committee (WDC) and members of the press.
Components discussed during the activity include; an overview on SOCHEMA Informal sector which was facilitated by the Director of Programs Mal. Abubakar Hassan, the overview of benefit package facilitated by Director Quality Assurance Mallam Sani Aliyu,
Process of Enrollment and
Technology Behind Enrollment into SOCHEMA facilitated by the Director ICT, while Method of Payments into SOCHEMA account was handled by the Director of Finance of the agency.
The program was rounded up by series of questions and answers as well as commitment by the participants to scale up the advocacy and sensitization campaigns to enable the agency achieve it’s mandate.
