Kano State has taken a bold step toward universal healthcare by enrolling some of its most vulnerable residents — including prison inmates, HIV patients, and hypertensive citizens — into the state’s contributory health insurance scheme. The move, announced by the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency on Friday, is being described as the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Dr. Rahila Aliyu-Mukhtar, Executive Secretary of the agency, said over 6,000 hypertensive patients have already been enrolled across the state. The intervention is aimed at easing access to medications and diagnostic tests that many previously could not afford, and early data show it’s paying off.
According to a national health report cited by Aliyu-Mukhtar, Kano has recorded a drop in hypertension-related complications. She credited the improvement directly to the newly enrolled patients now receiving consistent care under the scheme.
The agency has also extended coverage to more than 6,000 people living with HIV. While antiretroviral drugs remain donor-funded, the insurance now covers treatment for other common illnesses like malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension that often complicate HIV management.
In another first, Kano has enrolled all inmates in its correctional centers under the same health plan. Aliyu-Mukhtar said the initiative has already earned commendation from the Controller-General of Corrections, and other states are now reaching out to study Kano’s model. Plans are also underway to add 6,000 tuberculosis patients to the vulnerable group program.
The agency says the expansion is part of a broader push to cut out-of-pocket health spending and ensure no resident is left behind due to income or status. By targeting groups often excluded from care, Kano is positioning itself as a model for inclusive healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
