By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Civil servants on grade levels 01 to 06 in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service have been given free financial access to quality healthcare services under the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme (AKSHIS) codenamed: ARISECare.
The state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, announced this on Friday in Uyo, the state capital during the official launch of the scheme in the state.
Governor Eno, who at the event, approved the payment of N180 million for the initial enrollment of 9150 junior workers, said the payment covers for premium period of one year, after which the beneficiaries would take responsibility of contributing for themselves.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to be intentional about investing in Akwa Ibom people and ensure access to quality healthcare, especially for the vulnerable and people in the rural areas.
The Governor expressed delight for having to launch the scheme in the state which, he affirmed, was in line with his social contract with the people and the aspirations of his governance blueprint -ARISE Agenda.
He acknowledged the strides recorded in the primary healthcare sector since assumption of office, and announced his administration’s move to complement the health insurance scheme with an ambulance service, with the acquisition of at least one ambulance for each of the 10 Federal Constituencies, six of which, he said, have already been delivered.
His words, “In the course of my campaigns for this office, I have made a solemn pledge that if elected as the governor, I will implement this programme which also speak of our commitment to the well-being of our people particularly in the rural areas, especially those at the bottom point of the human condition.
“It is a known fact that health is wealth because a healthy population is.a productive population anywhere in the world. This explains why healthcare is a focal point of our ARISE Agenda.
“From the inception of the administration, we have done several things to support our healthcare system, and we will continue to do so knowing well that before food security is health security because if you are healthy, you won’t even want to eat food.” Governor Eno stated.
He congratulated the people who have already subscribed to scheme, and commended the handlers for working hard to bring the programme to fruition.
Stressing the high expectations of government on the functionality of the scheme in catering for the healthcare needs of Akwa Ibom people, the Governor urged the agency in charge to publish the accredited health centres and to take steps to ensure a robust pharmaceutical service, especially for the primary healthcare sector.
The Director/Chief Executive Officer of National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in his address, lauded the Umo Eno-led government for launching the scheme, describing the initiative as critical for the Universal Health Coverage, which is a major component of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Professor Augustine Umoh, said the scheme will go down in history as one of the critical people-oriented achievements of the present administration, thanking everyone that turned up to make the launch successful.
In his overview of the scheme, the Chairman of the Agency and SSA to the Governor, Dr. Edikan Ekwere said the purpose of the scheme is to ensure that all residents of Akwa Ibom State have access to efficient and effective health care services to reduce catastrophic health expenditure by pooling funds for strategic health care purchasing.
He noted that an individual can enroll with N18,000, N96,000 for a family of six, while group registration of more than 10 people will be N17,000 to access basic medical services at the primary healthcare centres.
