By Atoyebi Nike
The Chairman of Kudan Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Dauda Abba, has proposed that couples seeking to marry must show proof of enrollment in the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA) scheme.
Speaking at the Kudan Secretariat during the launch of the informal sector enrollment campaign, Abba said the move would boost participation in the health programme while improving access to affordable healthcare for residents.
“Making KADCHMA enrollment a requirement for marriage will increase awareness and uptake of the scheme,” Abba said, adding that he would forward an executive order to the LGA legislature to support the initiative through local by-laws.
The scheme covers antenatal care, delivery, postnatal services, and emergency treatment with or without complications for an annual fee of N10,650. The chairman pledged to enroll 1,000 people immediately, with another 1,000 to follow after the first phase.
Abba also proposed extending the requirement to political office aspirants in Kudan, saying candidates must hold valid KADCHMA cards before contesting.
Director-General of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan, said the campaign is part of Governor Uba Sani’s Rural Transformation Agenda to reduce maternal and child deaths by expanding healthcare access in rural communities.
He emphasized that health is now considered a right in Kaduna State, not a privilege, and urged local leaders to act as ambassadors for the scheme. “Over 50 women have delivered via cesarean section under this programme without financial burden,” he said.
The campaign was launched in collaboration with Engender Health, ISMPH, Centre for Communication and Social Impact, and LAI-SDGs, and will be replicated across all 23 LGAs.
District Head of Kudan, Halliru Mahmood, lauded the initiative, saying it offers critical financial protection for vulnerable families and will make a lasting impact on community health.
