The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) says it has enrolled vulnerable groups, including hypertensive and HIV patients and inmates in correctional centres, into the state’s healthcare insurance scheme.

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Rahila Aliyu-Mukhtar, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano.

Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar said the agency had enrolled more than 6,000 vulnerable hypertensive patients across the state to help them access medications and investigations they ordinarily could not afford.

According to her, the intervention has contributed to reducing complications arising from hypertension in the state.

“We received a nationally generated report indicating that Kano State has reduced complications arising from hypertension.

“This can be attributed to the hypertensive patients we enrolled under the scheme,” she said.

The executive secretary added that more than 6,000 people living with HIV have also been enrolled in the programme.

She explained that although antiretroviral drugs were provided through donor support, beneficiaries still require healthcare support for other illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension.

Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar further disclosed that the agency had concluded plans to enrol 6,000 tuberculosis patients under its vulnerable group programme.

“We realised that TB patients also need support beyond their TB medications because secondary health conditions may arise,” she said.

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She also said the agency had enrolled all inmates in correctional centres across the state, describing it as the first initiative of its kind in the country.

Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar noted that the initiative earned the Kano State government commendation from the Controller-General of Corrections.

According to her, other states have contacted the agency to understudy the implementation model adopted by Kano State.

She said the agency remained committed to reducing out-of-pocket healthcare spending and improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable residents.

(NAN)

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed its departments to suspend services to 11 domestic airlines over unpaid financial obligations owed to the regulator.

The directive was contained in an internal memo dated 22 May, which instructed all NCAA directorates and regional offices to place the affected operators on a “no-pay-no-service” arrangement pending financial clearance from the Directorate of Finance and Accounts.

The memo was signed by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Olufemi Odukoya, and copied to the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other senior officials of the authority.

Airlines affected by the directive include Air Peace, Ibom Air, Arik Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Max Air, Rano Air, NG Eagle, ValueJet, Overland Airways, Umza Air and Caverton Helicopters.

The directive comes amid increasing financial pressure on domestic airlines due to rising aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange challenges, and high operating expenses across the sector.

Under the directive, affected airlines may be unable to access some regulatory services until their financial obligations are settled.

The move has also raised concerns within the industry over the possible impact on airline operations if the situation persists.

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The NCAA relies on statutory charges and service-related payments from airlines to fund inspections, oversight responsibilities and other regulatory activities.

In recent months, several domestic airlines have faced operational disruptions linked to rising costs, aircraft maintenance challenges and limited fleet availability.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that some airlines, such as Rano Air, adjusted schedules and suspended routes amid the sharp rise in Jet A1 aviation fuel prices, which continued to pressure operators.

The latest directive further underscores the financial strain on Nigeria’s aviation sector, as airlines struggle to balance rising operational costs with declining passenger purchasing power.