Kaduna Targets Informal Sector in New Drive for Health Insurance Enrollment

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government, through its Contributory Health Management Authority (KADCHMA), has launched a renewed push to increase health insurance enrollment among informal sector workers—who make up the majority of the state’s population but remain largely uninsured.

This initiative was the focus of a two-day Co-Creation Workshop held in Zaria, organized in collaboration with the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and EngenderHealth Consortium Partners, with funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the state government, development partners, informal sector representatives and the civil society organizations to develop a comprehensive communication strategy that will drive informal sector participation in the state health insurance scheme.

A Persistent Challenge

In his opening remarks, Dr. Joseph Sunday, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, who represented the Commissioner for Health, described the informal sector as the “missing link” in the quest for universal health coverage.

“More than 80% of the population that we need to enroll are in the informal sector. Yet, our numbers are not reflecting that reality,” he said.

He stressed the importance of devising a strategy that resonates with informal sector workers and convinces them of the value of health insurance.

“We are experiencing a crisis. People are dying because they cannot afford quality care. Health insurance is our most powerful tool to reduce these avoidable deaths.”

KADCHMA’s Commitment to Community Engagement

Speaking at the event, Abubakar Hassan, Director General of KADCHMA, emphasized the importance of understanding the local context to create effective solutions.

“Listening is not just hearing; it’s about understanding the realities we operate in. Only then can our partners help us find the right solutions,” Hassan said.

He highlighted Rwanda’s success, where over 95% of the informal sector is enrolled in health insurance, as a benchmark worth studying—but not blindly copying.

“We must ask ourselves: Why are we not there yet? Why haven’t we been able to replicate that success despite our efforts?”

Hassan identified out-of-pocket healthcare expenses as a major burden on the informal sector and called for a shift toward a more sustainable, insured model.

He also stressed the importance of community-driven communication, pledging that KADCHMA would increase both physical and virtual presence across communities using radio, social media, and grassroots mobilization.

“We must move from our offices into the communities and speak in a language that people understand,” he stated.

Changing the Insurance Narrative

Oluyemi Abodunrin, Senior Programme Manager at CCSI, acknowledged the deep-seated mistrust many Nigerians have toward insurance schemes and emphasized that part of the communication strategy must address behavioral and cultural concerns.

“Nigerians often shy away from insurance because the experiences haven’t always been pleasant. We want to change that,” he said.

He outlined key objectives for the strategy, including: building trust and confidence in the scheme among informal workers. Increasing understanding of how the scheme works and its benefits.

Promoting health insurance as a safeguard for financial and health security. Developing effective social and behavior change (SBC) messaging tailored to the realities of informal sector workers.

Yemi noted that the initiative falls under the larger project titled “Advocacy Solutions to Improve Primary Health Care (PHC) Delivery and Health Outcomes in Nigeria.”

Civil Society Applauds the Return of CCSI

Isa Gidado, Co-chair of the Maternal Accountability Mechanism in Kaduna Initiative (KADMAM), lauded CCSI for their return to the state and recalled how advocacy by civil society actors over the past two years led to the renewed collaboration.

“Thank God, after two years of our advocacy, they are finally here. We will do our best to support the development of this strategy and ensure its sustainability,” Gidado affirmed.

Looking Ahead

The workshop is expected to culminate in the development of a robust, community-driven campaign plan that will drive higher enrollment rates among informal workers and contribute to improved health outcomes for the people of Kaduna State.

With strong commitments from both government and partners, stakeholders expressed hope that this renewed focus will bridge the gap between policy and people and move Kaduna closer to achieving universal health coverage.