NHIA Renews Agreement With Five Hospitals to Boost Maternal, Newborn Care in Taraba

 

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with five major healthcare facilities in Taraba State under the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics and Newborn Care (CEmONC) programme, as part of efforts to strengthen maternal and newborn health services.

 

The agreement signing brought together representatives of the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; Taraba State Specialist Hospital, Jalingo; First Referral Hospital, Donga; and General Hospital, Gembu.

 

Speaking at the event, the NHIA Taraba State Coordinator, Mr. Ernest Terungwa Tarbo, said the CEmONC programme, launched in March 2025, has recorded significant impact, with over 1,000 women benefiting from the initiative. He explained that the programme is designed to provide free healthcare services to women experiencing maternal complications, as well as care for their newborns.

 

Mr. Tarbo also called on the Taraba State Government to fast-track the commencement of the NHIA Formal Sector Programme to enable state civil servants to benefit from health insurance coverage.

 

In his remarks, the Taraba State Head of Service, Dr. Ahmed Kara, who chaired the occasion, underscored the need for broader inclusion of vulnerable populations in the programme. He urged the Taraba State Contributory Health Insurance Agency to commence referrals for secondary healthcare services under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, aimed at expanding coverage for vulnerable groups.

 

Dr. Kara assured the NHIA of his commitment to ensuring the take-off of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme for Taraba State workers, describing it as a priority for Governor Agbu Kefas' administration.

 

Other speakers at the event included the Chief Medical Director of the Taraba State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Mustapha, who expressed concern over the limited provision for caesarean sections under the CEmONC programme and the low level of public awareness about the initiative.

 

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Health Services Management Board, Dr. Garba Danjuma, commended the Federal Government for the intervention and pledged the Board's support in strengthening healthcare delivery through sustained partnership with the NHIA.