The Niger State Contributory Health Agency (NiCare) has released the findings of its second-quarter Quality Assurance (QA) and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) exercise, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to improving healthcare services and enhancing institutional accountability across the state’s 25 local councils.

Presenting the report, NiCare Executive Secretary Sulayman Abu-Bakr stated that the assessment covered 130 health facilities, representing 25 per cent of all facilities across the 25 local council areas, and had recorded a commendable 95 per cent approval rating.

The meeting, held at the NAFTEC Hotel, Minna, included stakeholders such as Directors of Local Government Primary Health Care, Ward Development Committee Chairmen, as well as Health Educators from all the local governments in Zone ‘B’.
The E.S. observed that the few facilities that failed the assessment posed significant risks to patient safety and would be addressed with urgency.

Additionally, NiCare had introduced its newly endorsed operational guidelines, approved by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago. The guidelines establish a robust reward-and-sanction framework aimed at promoting transparency and providing incentives for high-performing facilities, assuring that enrollees will receive full value for their contributions.

The NiCare boss also stressed the importance of protecting patients’ rights, especially regarding access to essential medications.

He warned against unauthorised charges or denial of services, reminding service providers that capitation payments cover not only medical services but also infrastructure maintenance and professional standards.

Earlier, the Chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Health and Nutrition, Hon. Umar Nasir Paiko, lauded NiCare’s proactive approach to quality assurance.

According to Hon. Nasir: “The initiative is timely and crucial.” He urged increased awareness among both enrollees and caregivers about their rights and responsibilities, framing the relationship as a “50/50 dynamic.”

The House Committee Chairman on Health also hinted at plans to sponsor a legislative motion that would enable lawmakers to enrol poor and vulnerable citizens into health insurance schemes as part of their constituency projects. He said that discussions are already at an advanced stage to incorporate such initiatives into the 2026 state budget.

Highlights of the event include a PowerPoint presentation by NiCare’s Director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, featuring key findings from the QA/M&E exercise and outlining updates to the revised operational guidelines.