National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Taraba State has recorded significant growth in enrollment, with over 130,000 beneficiaries now captured under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund across the state’s 168 wards.
The agency has also identified 2,000 persons living with HIV, who are set to be enrolled into the health insurance scheme beginning April 2026, in a move aimed at expanding access to treatment and improving healthcare coverage in the state.
Executive Secretary of NHIA in Taraba State, Pharm. Jacob Kenzukpi, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Jalingo on Thursday.
He explained that enrollment under the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth since 2023.
According to him, the number of enrollees increased from 25,000 in 2023 to over 130,000 as of 2025, reflecting growing acceptance of the programme among residents.
Kenzukpi noted that the basic health care provision initiative primarily targets women, children under five years, vulnerable individuals, persons living with disabilities, and elderly citizens across the 16 local government areas of the state.
He further revealed that the agency received support from development partners, including UNICEF, Pro-Health, and the Nigeria for Women Project, which contributed significantly to the rise in enrollment figures.
The executive secretary also disclosed that the 2,000 persons living with HIV were identified following comprehensive screening across the state.
He added that the agency disburses funds upfront to designated healthcare facilities to ensure smooth treatment of beneficiaries under the scheme.
“The enrollment from 2023 when I came on board was 25,000. The figure continues up to 124,000 in 2025, we have processed additional 6000 forms that are ready to put on the data base, we have also identified 2000 persons leaving with HIV across the state, they are to be enrolled by next month,” Kenzukpi stated.
He therefore called on the Taraba State Government to support the agency in intensifying awareness and publicity campaigns, noting that a significant portion of residents remain unaware of the scheme’s benefits.
Kenzukpi revealed that over 60 percent of the population in the state is yet to fully understand the advantages of enrolling in the health insurance programme, stressing the need for increased sensitization to boost participation.
