The Executive Chairman of Kudan Local Government Area in Kaduna State, Hon. Dauda Abba, has proposed that Health Insurance be a prerequisite for marriage registration within the LGA.
The chairman made the announcement on Monday at the Kudan LGA Secretariat during the inauguration of KADCHMA’s (Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority) informal sector enrollment campaign, an initiative aimed at increasing access to affordable and quality healthcare services, particularly among underserved populations.
“We are considering pushing an Executive Order to the LGA legislative arm to make it a by-law for intending couples to present a KADCHMA enrollment card before marriage,” Mr Abba declared. “This will ensure greater participation in the health scheme and promote healthier family foundations.”
According to the chairman, this proposed requirement would help newlyweds begin their lives with access to essential health services while also improving the overall uptake of the scheme. He stated that pregnant women would benefit the most, as the health plan covers antenatal care, delivery, and postnatal services, including complications and cesarean sections. The annual premium of N10,650 provides access to treatment for various diseases and maternal care, offering financial protection from unexpected medical costs.
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“Over 50 women under this scheme have already delivered safely through cesarean section without financial burden,” the chairman noted.
Mr Abba emphasized that making KADCHMA enrollment a condition for marriage would not only raise awareness of the scheme but also foster a culture of health consciousness among citizens. To this end, he said he would initiate an Executive Order for consideration by the legislative arm of the LGA, which would pave the way for a by-law enforcing the requirement of KADCHMA cards for marriage registration.
Additionally, the chairman said the same health card requirement would be extended to political office aspirants in the local government. He believes that such measures would reinforce the implementation of the scheme and improve accountability in public service.
Mr Abba also pledged to sponsor the enrollment of 1,000 residents initially, with plans to support another 1,000 depending on the success of the first phase. He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to help disseminate information about the scheme to households and encourage participation.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of KADCHMA, Abubakar Hassan, explained that the campaign was launched to raise awareness in grassroots communities and involve local leaders in advocating for the scheme. He stated that the objective was to ensure all Kaduna residents have access to affordable and quality healthcare without financial hardship.
Mr Hassan acknowledged the high rate of maternal mortality in the region and highlighted that over 50 women had safely delivered via cesarean section under the scheme. He said the campaign aims to secure full endorsement from local governments, remove cultural and logistical barriers to enrollment, and promote shared responsibility for better health outcomes across the state.
The enrollment campaign, supported by partners such as EngenderHealth Consortium, the International Society for Media in Public Health, the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, and the Legislative Advocacy Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals, will also be inaugurated in Kagarko and Chikun LGAs before expanding to all 23 local government areas in Kaduna State.