Anambra State Government is hopeful that the clergy in the state will key into the State Health Insurance Scheme to guarantee quality health service for themselves and their dependents.
The expectation was made known on Wednesday by the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr Simeon Onyemaechi when he attended the monthly workshop for the clergy in the Anglican Diocese on the Niger held at the instance of the Bishop, Rt Reverend Owen Nwokolo, at All Saints Cathedral Church, Onitsha.
Since its establishment through a Bill passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly and accented to by Governor Willie Obiano in 2018, the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency has recorded over 86,000 enrollees.
The visit by the ASHIA Executive Secretary was part of efforts at getting key stakeholders in the state to have a buy-in into the initiative.
Speaking during the seminar, Onyemaechi, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Obiano on Health, disclosed that the scheme has registered about 86000 persons who are currently enjoying the health packages offered by the Agency from over 200 accredited health centres across the state.
Dr. Onyemaechi took time out to explain the benefits and plan for sustainability of the scheme after Obiano’s administration as well as the ‘Adoption model’ initiated by the Agency.
“Under the adoption model, we are targeting to get hi-networth Anambra citizens to secure Health Insurance Premium for their dependants. These are people who ordinarily, they would have been getting a distress call from every time they fall sick. But with a down payment of #12,000 annually, they will enjoy unlimited access to quality healthcare services for the period. This is an initiative that many notable Ndi Anambra are keying into already and we believe the church can also help to spread this message,’ Onyemaechi said.
He revealed that the agency has established a 24-hour customer feedback channel, 08021810222 for the scheme, where enrollees can make inquiries and complaints.
The ASIA boss urged the clergy as opinion moulders, to get themselves registered and also enrol their dependants so as to benefit from the initiative.
On his part, the Bishop Nwokolo commended the Agency for its efforts at ensuring that the majority of Anambra citizens buy into the program.
He noted that the scheme is a good initiative from the Governor to cater for the health needs of Anambra citizens especially the poor and enjoined the clergy to heed the call and register with the scheme.
