The Christian Aid-funded UHC Project in Keffi LGA being implemented by DGI Consult has recorded a significant milestone in the quest to improve quality and affordable healthcare at the grassroots. Combining effective community engagement with purchase of health insurance premium for the poor and vulnerable population has led to increased service utilization across the four implementing facilities. This is evidenced by an increase in the facility utilization rate among the beneficiaries of the Christian Aid UHC project compared to unenrolled community members and beneficiaries of other pro-UHC programs such as BHCPF and Equity Fund.

Also, facilitating providers’ engagement by DGI Consult provided an avenue for NASHIA and NAPHCDA to meet the representatives of the facilities and communities to discuss and resolve supply and demand-side issues. This has resulted in improved service delivery, particularly the referral process for enrollees of the health insurance scheme.

Additionally, advocacy to influential personalities within the community and propagation of beneficiaries’ good experiences of health insurance has led to the adoption of eight community members and commitments to adopt more poor and vulnerable persons under the Nasarawa State Health Insurance Scheme.

The project which is being implemented across four (4) wards in Keffi LGA seeks to achieve grassroots UHC goals through (a) Community mobilization and sensitization; (b) advocacy for the adoption of the poor and vulnerable people; (c) promoting innovative approach for resource mobilization to expand health insurance coverage to the vulnerable and marginalized people, and (d) strengthening the capacity of communities to hold policymakers and political class accountable for the implementation of pro-UHC policy thrusts.