GOV. OBIANO INAUGURATES ANAMBRA STATE HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY
The Anambra State Government says it will continue to prioritize the welfare of citizens by offering them affordable health services.
Governor Willie Obiano stated this in Awka, while inaugurating the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA.
The Health Insurance Agency was established through the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme Law 2016 with the mandate of giving every citizen access to quality healthcare.
Governor Obiano said the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency was initiated as a robust plan to offer quality medical services to the people at a reduced cost.
The Governor described the plan as a visionary policy tailored towards transforming the health sector in the area.
He announced that government had paid for the policies of 10,000 people in the area, while 10%
countepart funding for the coverage of civil servants in the state would also be settled.
The Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, noted that the agency was working towards the establishment of the scheme by all state governments, assuring that the funds would be managed judiciously.
Also, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike said that the programme would promote easy access to health care among citizens in the area.
Contributing, the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi stressed that the scheme would help the government achieving universal health coverage.
In their remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the scheme, Professor Ilochi Okafor and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Health Insurance, Mr Dozie Okpalaugo, said the creation of the agency indicated government’s readiness to expose citizens to affordable Medicare.
The Chairman, Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, stressed that the scheme would boost the development of the health sector of the economy.
National President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, expressed happiness over steps taken by Governor Obiano in transforming the state’s health sector.
The event featured the unveiling of the plaque of the Health Agency and the enrolment of Governor Obiano in the scheme.
NDU NWANNAH