By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
National Union of Pensioners (NUP), Kaduna State has provided free medical services to over 635 members of the union from eight local government areas of Kaduna State towards strengthening the health and welfare of its members.
The beneficiaries received free medical services such as free drugs for hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, optical services and other medical challenges affecting senior citizens (retirees).
Secretary General of the union, Alhaji Alhassan Musa told newsmen in Zaria that the beneficiaries are from Lere, Kubau, Kauru, Kudan, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Zaria and Soba local government areas respectively.
He said the five days free medical outreach which was inaugurated at Pambegua in Kubau Local Government on May 23, had 135 beneficiaries from Lere, Kubau and Kauru local government areas.
While in Zaria, the union members from Kudan, Giwa, Sabon Gari, Zaria and Soba local government areas are receiving free optical outreach.
“The beneficiaries from these five local government areas are also receiving free cataract surgeries, drugs and glasses.
“We are also compiling the list of members that require complex optical surgeries for other interventions,” he disclosed.
According to him, the union had an initial plan of about 50 beneficiaries from each local government area, however, with the huge turnout of members, the union had no option than to accommodate them.
He added that the huge turnout of the members reflects the condition of the senior citizens in the state, stressing that the union would sustain the exercise at short intervals to enhance their health status.
He said plans have reached advanced stage to further integrate the members into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme with a view to reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the management of their health challenges.
“We are on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the scheme in Kaduna State; under the MoU three per cent of a monthly pension payment would be deducted.
“The deduction is to enable the pensioner, his wife and two children,’’ he said.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Zainab Nuhu, from Sabon Gari Local Government Area, said she received drugs and glasses to improve her sight and urged the union to expand the number of beneficiaries in subsequent interventions.
