Abuja Journalists Get Health Insurance Boost As Fasawe, NUJ Seek Wider Support
For many journalists, the burden of reporting the news often comes with little protection for their own wellbeing.
In Abuja, that reality is beginning to change as more media professionals are being brought under a formal health insurance scheme aimed at improving access to care and reducing out-of-pocket medical costs.
More than 150 journalists in the Federal Capital Territory have now been enrolled in the FCT Health Insurance Scheme, FHIS, through an initiative launched by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, FCT Council.
The programme, driven by Council Chairman Grace Ike, is designed to improve the welfare of journalists and fulfil a key campaign promise centred on members’ wellbeing.
At the launch in Abuja, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, called on philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business leaders to sponsor health insurance for journalists, describing healthcare as a necessity rather than a luxury.
She also announced an additional 50 health insurance slots, while noting that about 480 of the estimated 800 journalists in the FCT have now been captured under the scheme.
According to her, the goal is to achieve full coverage as part of broader efforts to expand access to healthcare in the territory.
Grace Ike described the initiative as a historic first for the NUJ FCT Council, saying it would help protect journalists who daily serve the public by amplifying important issues, yet often have their own welfare neglected.
She praised the support of the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr., as well as Dr Fasawe and Permanent Secretary Dr Babagana Adam, whose contributions helped increase the number of beneficiaries to about 200.
NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, also hailed the programme, saying fewer than one per cent of Nigerian journalists currently have health insurance.
He said the scheme was a vital intervention that should be replicated elsewhere, especially as it could reduce healthcare costs and strengthen universal health coverage efforts.
With over 450 members attending the NUJ FCT Congress where the scheme was launched, the initiative is already being seen as a major welfare breakthrough for journalists in Abuja and a model that could inspire similar action across the country.
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