The Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA) successfully concluded a two-day retreat comprising a leadership and institutional capacity-building programme and a strategic study tour to the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), reaffirming its commitment to strengthening healthcare governance, institutional capacity, and service delivery in Borno State.

The retreat commenced with a comprehensive capacity-building programme for members of the Governing Board, Management, and Staff of BOSCHMA. The opening session featured registration, prayers, introduction of participants, a welcome address, opening remarks by the Chairperson of the Governing Board, and goodwill messages from stakeholders.

The Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, presented the agency's journey so far, highlighting key milestones, reforms, and achievements recorded in expanding access to quality healthcare through the state's contributory health insurance programme.
Participants received a keynote lecture titled "Building a Healthcare System That Will Serve Us: Historical Perspective – Past, Present and Future," delivered by Dr. Mil Shehu, who emphasized the need for resilient, people-centered health systems capable of responding to present and future healthcare challenges.

Technical sessions facilitated by Dr. Fatima M. Damagum focused on Leadership and Management, Leadership in Public Health, Conflict Management, and Health System Strengthening, equipping participants with practical leadership and governance skills for improved institutional performance.

In another presentation, Dr. Abubakar Hassan, Special Adviser on Health to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, delivered a paper on Borno's Contemporary Health Sector Experience, highlighting the state's healthcare reforms, achievements, and future priorities.

The first day provided participants with valuable insights into strategic leadership, healthcare governance, and institutional development aimed at improving service delivery and advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
On the second day, the BOSCHMA delegation embarked on a strategic study tour to the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) to promote peer learning, knowledge exchange, and the adoption of best practices in healthcare financing and administration.

The delegation was received by the Executive Secretary of KSCHMA, Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar, who commended BOSCHMA for the quality of healthcare services being delivered to residents of Borno State through its health insurance programme.

Dr. Rahila stated that her assessment was based on firsthand observations during an earlier visit to Maiduguri, where she toured healthcare facilities implementing the BOSCHMA scheme. She particularly applauded Borno's success in maternal healthcare utilization, noting that unlike in Kano where many pregnant women attend antenatal care but return to their communities for childbirth, pregnant women enrolled under BOSCHMA consistently return to accredited health facilities for safe delivery.

She described Borno's performance as exemplary and disclosed that KSCHMA is working to replicate some of BOSCHMA's strategies to improve healthcare-seeking behaviour among beneficiaries. She further noted that both Kano and Borno have become national reference points for the successful implementation of state contributory healthcare schemes in Nigeria.

The Chairperson of the BOSCHMA Governing Board, Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan, acknowledged KSCHMA's significant role in the establishment of BOSCHMA, explaining that many provisions of the law establishing the Borno agency were adapted from Kano's legal framework and operational model. She noted that learning from KSCHMA's experiences enabled BOSCHMA to avoid many of the implementation challenges encountered during Kano's early years.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of BOSCHMA, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, appreciated KSCHMA for its continuous support and mentorship. He recalled that the agency provided not only its enabling law but also practical guidance on governance, operational challenges, and implementation strategies during BOSCHMA's formative stage.

Dr. Saleh explained that while KSCHMA operates a flat-rate contribution model for civil servants, BOSCHMA adopted a percentage-based contribution system, which has proven more equitable by offering greater financial protection for low-income workers and vulnerable populations.

The delegation also received a detailed presentation on KSCHMA's governance structure, operational framework, enrollment strategies, healthcare financing mechanisms, digital innovations, and service delivery model.
An interactive experience-sharing session allowed technical teams from both agencies to exchange ideas on healthcare financing, digital transformation, governance, enrollment expansion, and implementation strategies.

The BOSCHMA delegation included Hon. Mustapha Maina Garbu, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Borno State House of Assembly; Dr. Abubakar Hassan, Special Adviser on Health to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum; representatives from the Office of the Head of Service; members of the Governing Board; management staff; and officials from other government agencies.

The retreat and study tour reinforced BOSCHMA's commitment to continuous learning, innovation, institutional strengthening, and strategic partnerships that will enhance healthcare financing, improve service delivery, and accelerate the achievement of Universal Health Coverage for the people of Borno State.