BORNO STATE CONTRIBUTORY HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AGENCY (BOSCHMA) CONDUCTS INSPECTION TOUR OF HEALTH FACILITIES IN SOUTHERN BORNO ON READINESS FOR FORMAL SECTOR SCHEME AND BHCPF IMPLEMENTATION. The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) has conducted a comprehensive inspection tour of selected health facilities across the Southern Borno Senatorial District to assess their readiness for the commencement of the Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme and to evaluate ongoing facility upgrades under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). The inspection team was led by the Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, and included Mustapha Mohammed, Head of ICT; Usman Bukar Maidala, Technical Assistant to the Executive Secretary; and Alkali Shettima Kagu, Internal Auditor. A major focus of the visit was the General Hospital (GH) Biu, where the team assessed infrastructure, staffing, and service readiness for the Formal Sector Scheme. The facility currently has three medical doctors, seven nurses, and other supporting health personnel. To support the scheme, the hospital has established a dedicated BOSCHMA Formal Sector clinic, which comprises a waiting area, two consultation rooms, a laboratory, a pharmacy, and a triage unit. While the team expressed satisfaction with the facility’s level of preparedness and structural arrangements, some essential medical equipment was identified as gap. The Agency assured the hospital management that all necessary equipment and items would be provided ahead of the commencement of services, in line with BOSCHMA’s quality assurance standards. Beyond GH Biu, the team carried out an extensive inspection of health facilities across Southern Borno as part of efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of the Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme. Facilities assessed under the scheme included General Hospital Briyel and General Hospital Kwaya-Kusar. In addition, the team inspected several primary healthcare facilities supported under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), namely PHC Vinadam, Guwal PHC, MCH Kwaya Kusar, PHC Briyel, and PHC Gamadadi. During the tour, the team assessed the renovation works, the availability of service points, and the general readiness of the facilities. The Executive Secretary commended the level of improvements observed in several facilities, noting that the renovations would significantly enhance access to quality primary healthcare services for residents of the area. Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza reiterated BOSCHMA’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across Borno State through effective implementation of health insurance schemes and strategic utilization of BHCPF interventions, ensuring that facilities are adequately prepared to meet the needs of beneficiaries.