In Kebbi State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Integrated Child Health and Social Services Award (ICHSSA) project. Dr. Joseph Iyang, the project leader, announced that this USAID-funded initiative, which spans five states including Kebbi, has provided health insurance coverage for 1,308 children through the Kebbi State Healthcare Contributory Scheme (KECHEMA). This coverage will extend beyond the project's five-year duration.
The project, funded by USAID and executed by Pro-Health International with Catholic Relief Services as a technical partner, aims to support orphans and vulnerable individuals through immediate cash transfers of N20,000 each. Additionally, it will train 235 vulnerable women in vocational skills and provide start-up kits to foster local economic growth and self-reliance.
The launch event in Birnin Kebbi at the College of Nursing Sciences also included the distribution of cheques and start-up kits to selected beneficiaries. Hajia Maryam Umar Tafida, representing the governor’s wife, expressed gratitude to USAID for their support and urged the organization to extend the project beyond its scheduled end in December to benefit more residents.
Dr. Iyang emphasized that the project also aims to alleviate the impact of HIV in the six participating states, including Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
