Kaduna: Free Medical Care For 635 Pensioners
635 members of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Kaduna state, who are from the 8 local government areas, have been provided free medical services.
On Thursday, the NUP Secretary, Alhaji Alhassan Musa, told newsmen in Zaria that the purpose of the services were to strengthen the health and welfare of its members. Some of the benefitting local government areas included Lere, Kubau, Kauru, Kudan, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Zaria and Soba.
The beneficiaries will receive free medical services like free medication for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, optical services as well as any other medical challenges that affect senior citizens (retirees).
Alhaji Musa also added that the 5 days free medical outreach that was inaugurated at Pambegua in Kubau Local Government on the 23rd of May, had gained 135 beneficiaries from the Lere, Kubau and Kauru local governments. Similarly, he also stated that in Zaria, union members from the Kudan, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Zaria and Soba local governments received free optical outreach.
Read Also:
“The beneficiaries from these five local governments are also receiving free cataract surgeries, drugs and glasses. We are also compiling the list of members that require complex optical surgeries for other interventions.’’
He said that the union had initially planned for around 50 beneficiaries from each local government but due to the huge turnout of members, the union had no option but to accommodate them. He further added that the huge turnout had reflected the condition of the senior citizens in Kaduna, saying that the union would sustain the exercise at short intervals to enhance their health status. He also said that the plans had reached an advanced stage for them to further integrate the members into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme and to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the management of their health challenges.
“We are on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the scheme in Kaduna State. Under the MoU, three per cent of a monthly pension payment would be deducted. The deduction is to benefit the pensioner, his wife and two children.’’
A resident of the Sabon Gari Local Government, Hajiya Zainab Nuhu, spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries and praised the union. She urged it to expand the number of beneficiaries in the subsequent interventions.
