Abuja – In a city where many journalists cover public health crises without health coverage of their own, a rare lifeline has arrived. The Mandate Secretary of the FCTA Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, has offered 150 free health insurance enrolments to members of the NUJ FCT Council, with the Permanent Secretary, Dr Babagana Adam, adding 50 more in honour of his late brother, Mohammed Alkali, who died in the line of duty. The combined pledge brings the total to 200 free slots.
Announcing the gesture during a courtesy visit by the NUJ FCT leadership in Abuja, Fasawe said the move supports universal health coverage and recognises the media as a vital partner in public health promotion. “Prevention is key, noting that journalists who benefit from the scheme can help amplify awareness about health insurance and healthy health-seeking behaviour,” she said.
Under the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, enrollees gain access to one year of care at accredited facilities, covering services such as deliveries, surgeries and emergency treatment. Fasawe said rebuilding trust in public healthcare remains a priority, especially for residents held back by cost and scepticism.
Dr Adam pledged to sustain the 50 annual slots and urged wider public-private partnerships to expand coverage, calling on the NUJ to prioritise the most vulnerable journalists. “We urge the NUJ to prioritise the most vulnerable journalists,” he said.
NUJ FCT Chair, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a boost to journalists’ welfare and a step towards making healthcare a right, not a privilege.
