Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the payment of ₦180 million for the initial enrollment of 9,150 junior civil servants of Grade Levels 1-6 in the State under the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme (AKSHIS).
The Governor, who announced the payment at the official launch of the scheme, codenamed ARISECare, in Uyo, the State capital, reaffirmed his commitment to intentionally investing in Akwa Ibom people and ensuring access to quality healthcare, especially for the vulnerable and those in rural areas.
He expressed delight in launching the scheme in the State, affirming that it aligns with his social contract with the people and the aspirations of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno congratulated Akwa Ibomites who have already subscribed to the scheme and commended the organizers for working hard to bring the programme to fruition.
He acknowledged the strides recorded in the primary healthcare sector since his assumption of office and announced his administration’s plan to complement the health insurance scheme with an ambulance service.
This includes the acquisition of at least one ambulance for each of the 10 Federal Constituencies, six of which, he mentioned, have already been delivered.
Stressing the government’s high expectations regarding the scheme’s functionality in catering to the healthcare needs of Akwa Ibom people, the Governor urged the agency in charge to publish the list of accredited health centres and to ensure a robust pharmaceutical service, especially within the primary healthcare sector.
Highlighting the need for optimum credibility and transparency, Governor Eno emphasized that his administration is committed to ensuring that funds invested in the scheme are judiciously spent.
The Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in his address, praised the Umo Eno-led government for launching the scheme. He described the initiative as critical to achieving Universal Health Coverage, a major component of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Professor Augustine Umoh, noted that the scheme will be remembered as one of the most impactful, people-oriented achievements of the present administration.
He thanked everyone who contributed to making the launch a success.
In his overview of the scheme, the Chairman of the Agency and SSA to the Governor, Dr. Edikan Ekwere, explained that the scheme aims to ensure all residents of Akwa Ibom State have access to efficient and effective healthcare services, reducing catastrophic health expenditure by pooling funds for strategic healthcare purchasing.
He noted that individuals can enroll for ₦18,000, families of six for ₦96,000, and group registrations of more than 10 people for ₦17,000 per person, providing access to basic medical services at primary healthcare centres.
