By Mohammed Dala Lawan
In a major push toward healthcare digitisation, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has inaugurated a new Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre constructed by the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (YSCHMA), describing it as a pivotal step in transforming healthcare service delivery across the state.
The facility, equipped with a biometric capture room, ID card printing unit, reception call centre, and referral coordination hub, is designed to serve as the technological nerve centre for managing enrollees under the state’s health insurance scheme.
Governor Buni, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Lawan Gana, at the inauguration ceremony, said the centre marked a decisive departure from the cumbersome manual processes that had long plagued the agency’s operations.
“The reliance on manual systems was a major bottleneck, often leading to frustrating delays and public complaints. By embracing digitalisation, we have significantly reduced those grievances. Enrollees can now access services almost instantly,” Gana stated.
He stressed that the administration embedded a sustainability framework into the project from its initial design, ensuring that maintenance structures are in place to guarantee the facility’s long-term functionality.
Speaking on the technical capabilities of the new hub, YSCHMA Executive Secretary, Dr Babagana Tijjani, explained that the ICT centre would be instrumental in safeguarding the integrity of the scheme, particularly for vulnerable populations including pregnant women, children under five, and beneficiaries of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
Dr Tijjani highlighted that the facility enables real-time verification of enrollees through their National Identification Numbers (NIN), effectively eliminating duplicate registrations and fraudulent practices.
“The digital upgrade will overhaul the agency’s financial interactions with healthcare providers, ensuring faster and more accurate claims processing and reimbursements,” he added.
He further noted that the technology would enhance the agency’s monitoring and evaluation capabilities, allowing officials to accurately track performance metrics across all political wards in the state.
In a call for broader participation, Dr Tijjani urged informal sector workers including businessmen, mechanics, carpenters, welders, and other artisans to enrol in the scheme and benefit from the expanded healthcare coverage.
The newly commissioned complex is expected to serve as the digital backbone for YSCHMA, accelerating the state’s strategic move toward achieving universal health coverage through modern technology.
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