Katsina State Health Insurance Scheme and University Policies Face Scrutiny from ASUU-UMYU
From Mu’awiyya Bala Idris Katsina
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU) has declared the Katsina State Health Insurance Scheme ineffective and in urgent need of reform to meet its stated objectives.
The declaration was made by the Chairman of the ASUU-UMYU chapter, Comrade Murtala A. Kwarah, during a news conference held in Katsina on [Date].
Comrade Kwarah stated that the healthcare providers under the scheme have consistently failed to deliver efficient medical services to beneficiaries. He identified the state government’s failure to channel adequate funds to these providers as the primary cause, leading to a critical shortage of essential drugs.
“In most cases, the Health Providers are faced with a shortage of drugs,” Comrade Kwarah said. “A patient might receive half a tablet of Panadol instead of a complete one.”
While acknowledging the scheme’s laudable objectives for workers, Comrade Kwarah emphasized that immediate and comprehensive reforms are necessary to ensure it meets the needs and satisfaction of its beneficiaries.
Shifting focus to issues within the university, the ASUU Chairman called on the Katsina State Government to urgently implement the Unified University Salary Scale for UMYU staff. He clarified that the implementation of this salary scale is a strict condition set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for establishing a university.
“It is disheartening that UMYU remains the only institution within the Sokoto Zone yet to enjoy the Unified Salary Scale,” Comrade Kwarah stated.
Furthermore, Comrade Kwarah issued a caution to the state government regarding its policy direction for the institution. He warned that certain well-intentioned reforms could have adverse effects.
“It is important to remind the government that certain policy directions, though well intended, have the potential to compromise the institution’s autonomy,” he said. “These reforms could impinge on the effective and independent running of the university.”
The union urged the state government to engage in dialogue to address these critical concerns for the benefit of both university staff and the people of Katsina State.
