The Director General of the Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), Dr. Dawal Solomon Kwande, has called for strengthened collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to tackle poverty and improve access to healthcare services across Plateau State.
Dr. Kwande made the call during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, at his office.
Speaking during the visit, the PLASCHEMA boss highlighted the agency’s achievements and strategic efforts aimed at ensuring that every resident of Plateau State has access to quality and affordable healthcare, particularly those in underserved and rural communities.
He stressed that access to healthcare is a critical component in addressing poverty, noting that many families are often forced to deplete their savings or dispose of valuable assets to meet medical expenses.
According to him, “this reality underscores the need for strong institutional collaboration, especially with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, whose mandate aligns with addressing such multidimensional challenges.”
Dr. Kwande explained that a strategic partnership between the Ministry and PLASCHEMA would significantly reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and contribute to lowering the multidimensional poverty index in the state.
In his response, the Minister, Dr. Bernard Doro, commended the agency for its impactful work, describing PLASCHEMA as one of the key institutions delivering on the vision of the Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the agency in developing sustainable interventions that will ease the healthcare burden on citizens and improve overall wellbeing.
The Minister also revealed plans for a flagship programme under the Ministry, noting that the visit was timely and would pave the way for meaningful collaboration.
Dr. Kwande was accompanied on the visit by elder statesman Chief Sunday Audu, the Director of Marketing and Business Development, Mrs. Theresa Gofwen, and other officials of the agency.
