PLASCHEMA Concludes State-Wide Engagement Tour Across 17 Local Government Areas

The Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA) has successfully concluded its state-wide engagement tour across the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State. The tour, which was conducted in three phases covering the Southern, Central, and Northern Zones, was led by the Acting Director General of the Agency, Dr. Kwande Solomon Dawal.   

The exercise provided a platform for the Agency to engage with all LGA Chairmen in furtherance of its mandate to ensure that every resident of Plateau State has access to quality, affordable, and sustainable healthcare services. Dr. Kwande expressed appreciation to the various LGA Chairmen for their cooperation, partnership, and continued support for the Agency’s vision and the broader health agenda of the present administration.

– The tour aimed to strengthen collaboration at the Local Government level to accelerate progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the State.

– Dr. Kwande presented data on the current status of enrollments across the LGAs, noting achievements recorded so far and highlighting the need for enhanced community sensitization and mobilization to scale up enrollment into the health insurance scheme.

– The interactions across the 17 LGAs have reaffirmed the shared commitment of all stakeholders to make healthcare delivery more accessible and effective for the people of Plateau State.

Dr. Kwande highlighted the agency’s plan to establish a PLASCHEMA Pharmacy to ensure beneficiaries have access to essential medicines at an affordable rate. “We’ve gone beyond just managing healthcare demand—we are now planning to establish a PLASCHEMA Pharmacy,” he said. This initiative aims to reduce the stress of accessing medicines and ensure that beneficiaries can get prescribed drugs at a discounted rate of 10%.

PLASCHEMA is working closely with the Plateau State Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency to ensure the success of the pharmacy initiative. Dr. Kwande noted that conversations have already started, and they plan to deepen their collaboration to ensure drug availability and quality.

The establishment of the PLASCHEMA Pharmacy will benefit beneficiaries in several ways:

– *Improved access*: Beneficiaries will have access to essential medicines without interruptions.

– *Affordability*: Beneficiaries will pay 10% of the cost of prescribed drugs, making healthcare more affordable.

– *Quality assurance*: The pharmacy will ensure that medicines are stored and dispensed according to standard guidelines.

The conclusion of the state-wide engagement tour marks a significant milestone in strengthening partnerships between PLASCHEMA and Local Government authorities. The Agency’s determination to deliver on its core objective of ensuring that no Plateau resident is left behind in the journey toward universal health coverage is evident in its efforts to establish a pharmacy and improve access to healthcare services. With the support of the State Government and relevant stakeholders, PLASCHEMA is poised to make a positive impact on the healthcare system in Plateau State.