PLASCHEMA DECENTRALIZES OPERATIONS, BOOSTS FIELD WORK WITH MOTORCYCLES

The Plateau State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (PLASCHEMA), under the able leadership of Dr. Solomon Humphrey Kwande, commissioned its LGA and zonal offices at the Barkin-Ladi Zonal Office in a ceremony that also featured the distribution of motorcycles to support field operations across the state. The event attracted key stakeholders from government, traditional institutions, and the health sector, highlighting the importance of strengthening healthcare administration at the grassroots.

Providing an overview of the agency’s zonal expansion, the Director General of PLASCHEMA, Dr. Solomon Humphrey Kwande, described the commissioning as an investment in efficiency and accessibility. He explained that the agency now operates across three major zones—Barkin-Ladi, Pankshin, and Shendam—covering all 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau State, with enrollment figures reaching about four hundred thousand beneficiaries.

According to him, the decentralization of operations is aimed at ensuring that every Plateau citizen can easily enroll in the health insurance scheme. He also disclosed that 3KVA solar systems had been installed at the offices to complement public power supply and ease the enrollment process. He appreciated the leader of the “Time Is Now” administration, His Excellency, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, for his magnanimity, as well as other key stakeholders—the Commissioner for Health, LGA Chairmen, and his predecessor, Dr. Agabus Manasseh—under whose leadership the offices were upgraded and the motorcycles procured.

Commissioning the offices and 17 operational motorcycles on behalf of the Governor, the Secretary to the Plateau State Government, Arc. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, described PLASCHEMA as one of the top three agencies in the state and expressed optimism that it would soon take the lead. He noted that the motorcycles were timely and would enhance seamless enrollment and service delivery, ensuring effective healthcare services reach even the most remote communities across Plateau State.

The Gwom Rei of Barkin-Ladi, HRH Edward Gyang Bot, emphasized the centrality of health to societal progress, noting that no meaningful development can be achieved without a healthy population. He appreciated PLASCHEMA for bringing the commissioning to Barkin-Ladi and welcomed guests to the community for the landmark occasion.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Baamlong, congratulated the agency on the milestone and commended PLASCHEMA for expanding its operational reach. He expressed confidence that the initiative would ensure more Plateau citizens continue to benefit from the scheme. He described the agency as a major beneficiary of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s support and thanked the Governor for prioritizing the health needs of Plateau people.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Barkin-Ladi Local Government, Hon. Stephen Pwajok Gyang, welcomed attendees and commended the Director General of PLASCHEMA for siting the zonal office of the Northern Zone in the area. He praised the efforts of the agency's staff in the locality and thanked the Governor for placing a premium on the health insurance scheme, describing health as true wealth for the people.

Among dignitaries in attendance were the Executive Chairman of Jos East, Hon. Markus Nyam; the Executive Private Secretary to the Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Moses Nwan-mni; and a representative of the National Health Insurance Authority, among other stakeholders and friends of PLASCHEMA.