The federal government has kicked off a free healthcare program for pensioners who earn less than N70,000 monthly. This move aims to help low-income retirees get better access to medical care across Nigeria.
The program is called PenCare. It focuses on pensioners who are part of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), are 60 years or older, and receive monthly pensions of not more than N70,000.
This announcement came in a statement from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Monday.
The agency said the program is meant to reduce the healthcare burden on vulnerable pensioners. Many of these retirees face rising medical costs and lower purchasing power.
Pilot phase
The NOA mentioned that the scheme will start with a pilot phase that covers 30,000 eligible pensioners across the country. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration is already open. Interested retirees can sign up through the National Pension Commission (PenCom) website or with participating Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
To be eligible, retirees must be part of the CPS, be at least 60 years old, and earn no more than N70,000 each month.
The agency said this initiative is part of ongoing efforts to boost social protection for retired workers and improve their access to healthcare services.
Pensioners’ welfare
The launch of this scheme comes as worries grow about the welfare of pensioners. Many find it hard to pay for healthcare due to rising inflation and the higher costs of medical services.
According to the NOA, the PenCare program aims to protect the dignity, health, and wellbeing of its beneficiaries. It will help reduce the financial strain linked to accessing healthcare.
The agency sees this initiative as a major step forward in improving the lives of retirees and expanding healthcare access for elderly Nigerians.
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