An Akwa Ibom community has joined the league of beneficiaries of social health insurance programme under National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Nigeria, Straightnews has gathered.
Of the five benefiting Nigerian states, Ukana Ikot Ideh in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom is the only community in the state chosen for the pilot implementation of VCSHIP-Vital Contributions Social Health Insurance Programme in the 2018 Federal Appropriation Act.
Already, 36 communities from five Federal Constituencies in Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kogi States are also beneficiaries of the scheme.
Under the pilot scheme, 240 lives from Ukana Ikot Ideh in Ikot Ekpene-Essien Udim-Obot Akara Federal Constituency of the state are expected to benefit from NHIS.
In a letter dated March 28 and routed to the Chairman, House Committee on Health, National Assembly Complex, Abuja, B. O. C. Omogo, Overseeing Director of National Health Insurance Scheme, confirmed the approval of Ukana Ikot Ideh and some communities from five states in the country.
The letter entitled “RE: Constituency Projects In 2018 Appropriation: Provision of Funds For Vital Contributions Social Health Insurance Programme In Some Federal Constituencies In Five States (Imo, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi and Akwa Ibom States), conveyed approval of the second scenario (2 year’s care coverage plan) to implement the projects in the selected Federal Constituencies.
This was sequel to a letter earlier sent by the Chairman, House Committee on Health to the NHIS Executive Secretary with the reference number NASS/HR/8/CT.48 and dated March 27, 2019.
Meanwhile, NHIS officials from Abuja will officially launch and flag off the scheme at Primary Health Centre premises, Ukana Ikot Ideh, Essien Udim on Thursday, May 23 at 12 noon.
In an interview with Straightnews reporter in Uyo on May 21, Anietie Udo Umoren, a medical doctor, said “Through my advocacy, Akwa Ibom State was included in the 2018 Federal Appropriation and my community in the pilot implementation.”
An indigene of the community, Umoren has, therefore, invited Dr. Dominic Ukpong, the state Commissioner for Health; Mrs Stella Etokakpan, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry and other health providers in the state to witness the scheme’s flag-off in the area.
