Story Written By Khadijat Aliyu ,Edited by Godwin Duru
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), organized a dissemination and strategy development workshop on utilization of Zakat and Waqf to procure healthcare.
The Executive Secretary KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Mukhtar explained that the scheme involves advance financing of healthcare expenses through contributions, donations or grants, paid into a common pool to cover all or part of health services as specified by the law.
Dr. Mukhtar emphasized that the contributory healthcare scheme aims to promote and ensure that all residents of Kano State have access to effective, quality and affordable healthcare services.
“Protect families from financial hardship of huge medical bills, limit the inflationary rise in the cost of healthcare service”.
She maintained that other benefits include ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare cost across different incomes group and maintaining high standard of healthcare delivery services within the health sector.
Senior Associate CHAI Kabiru Abubakar Gulma pointed out that the objectives of the meeting include disseminating findings of the zakkat and waqf landscaping assessment, and shared understanding of the KSCHMA vulnerable population program.
He stressed that others are to get the islamic position on channelling zakat funds through contributory health schemes for vulnerable people.
“Develop framework for a strategy on use of zakkat ana waqf funds for health care”.
In a presentation titled Leveraging Zakkat for Healthcare, Amina Abubakar from CHAI highlighted that the assessment revealed that Waqf and zakkat provides steady funding for social development and healthcare, while community involvement in donations foster ownership and support for healthcare initiatives.
“Needs based prioritization ensures zakkat funds reach vulnerable groups”.
The Director Operations Zakkat & Hubsi Commission Kano Hussaini Said Abdullahi described the meeting as apt.
He said as relevant stakeholders who collate zakkat and waqf, the meeting served as an eye opener that will motivate them to do more to achieve the desired objectives.
“We have philanthropists that set aside funds to assist the sick in society, we will collaborate with KSCHMA to channel finance to support the vulnerable.
A participant who doubles as the Secretary Kano Council of Ulama Ibrahim Abubakar Tofa noted that as religious leaders, they will contribute their quota by preaching to philanthropists and wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged through health initiatives.
The meeting was attended by heads of government agencies under the Kano state Ministry of Health , zakkat and hubsi, council of Ulama and other relevant stakeholders.
KHADIJAH ALIYU
