Amidst jubilation, 242 beneficiaries of National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS in Ukana Ikot Ideh, Ukana Uwa Ward 2, Essien Udim of Akwa Ibom State were relieved of despair as the scheme was officially launched in the area on Thursday.
The beneficiaries danced and sang to the rhythm of a cultural troupe after Mfon Bassey, Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry who represented Prof. Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health had officially launched the scheme.
The flag-off ceremony held at Primary Health-Care Centre, Ukana Ikot Ideh was witnessed by the beneficiaries from Ukana Uwa Ward 2 Community-based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHI) and Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency’s Vital Contributions Social Health Insurance Programme (VCSHIP).
The CBHI is essentially populated by the people of Ukana Ikot Ideh in Ukana West Ward 2 while VCSHIP is populated by the people of the Federal Constituency being part of the Federal Government’s plan to deepen health-care delivery services to the rural populace.
Of the 37 communities from five Federal constituencies in five Nigerian states approved for the scheme, Ukana Ikot Ideh from Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency is the only benefiting community in Akwa Ibom State chosen for the pilot implementation of the scheme.
Speaking, Bassey, who is a Senior Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry, said the scheme forms part of the Federal Government’s effort in bringing health-care needs to the rural people, emphasising that government would sustain the scheme to enable many rural dwellers to benefit from it.
Bassey who represented the Health Minister called on the beneficiaries to cooperate with the operators of the scheme to ensure its workability, pledging the NHIS readiness to implement it in many Federal Constituencies in the country.
Peter Inyang, who represented the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong commended NHIS for launching the scheme in the area.
Inyang, a medical doctor, pledged state government’s readiness to funding primary health care needs of the citizenry hence the essence of establishing Primary Health-Care Needs Boards, calling on the beneficiaries to make proper use of the scheme.
In a goodwill message sent to the scheme launch in the area, B. O. C. Omogo, the Overseeing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NHIS, congratulated the community for being included in the 2018 Federal Appropriation Act and enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity.
Omogo, who was represented by Mr. Uba Ohuakanwa, congratulated the community for being a beneficiary of the scheme, but called on the state governor to assent the State Health Insurance Scheme Bill to qualify the state for NHIS.
Sir Etekamba Umoren, the former Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, commended the Federal Government for bringing the NHIS pilot scheme to the area.
Umoren, an indigene of the community, said the beneficiary will pay 10 per cent while Federal Government will bankroll 90 per cent, calling on the beneficiaries to reciprocate the government’s gesture by discharging their civic responsibilities.
Elated Anietie Udo Umoren, an indigene of Ukana Ikot Ideh said through his advocacy, the scheme for Ukana Ikot Ideh was included in the 2018 Federal Appropriation Act.
Umoren, a medical doctor, said “In this day when Governorship elections in Sokoto and Osun have been decided by votes of 342 and a little more than 300 respectively, the time to take health of the people seriously has arrived.”
Earlier, Michael Akpabio, the Village Head of Ukana Ikot Ntuen, had described health as important development index of the society, and thanked Anietie Umoren for his untiring effort in bringing the scheme to the area.
Akpabio who serves as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of CBHI based at Primary Health Centre, Ukana Ikot Ideh, advised the beneficiaries “I know sickness is an unwelcome visitor. If you are not sick, do not visit a medical doctor. If you visit and a doctor does not diagnose any sickness, you will be charged.”
In an interview with Straightnews reporter, Unyime D. Udo-Umo, Chairman, Akwa Ibom Hospitals Management Board said the NHIS in Ukana Ikot Ideh covers the state, saying “The scheme is for the state and in the last four years, Akwa Ibom government has demonstrated greater commitment to the implementation of the health-care delivery services. We have to push it through greater collaboration to enable many persons to benefit from it.”
Udo-Umo, a medical doctor, recalled “Akwa Ibom House of Assembly had passed State Health Insurance Health Scheme into law now awaiting Governor Udom Emmanuel’s assent. Without the assent, the state cannot access the NHIS. Unfortunately, this has not happened yet. Two bills with inkling on primary health-care delivery services were passed by the House: Primary Health-Care Development Agency Bill and State Health Insurance Scheme Bill.
The board chairman who also graced the scheme launch stated “While Primary Health-Care Development Agency Bill has been assented to by the governor and agency set up, the State Health Insurance Scheme Bill is not yet assented. Government has plans to set NHIS in every primary health-care centre in the state. I hope in his second term in office, the governor will sign the bill.”
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Menyene George Nkwo from Ikot Ekpene local government area lauded Federal Government’s effort in initiating the scheme which, according to her, would alleviate the health challenges of the less privileged.
Nkwo, who is also a retired director of State Secondary Schools Board (Sports), noted that many beneficiaries of the scheme could not afford exorbitant hospital bills, but the scheme would add value to their health and make them to live longer.
The colourful ceremony was equally attended by Mrs Ossi Gertrude Ihekerenwa, General Manager, South-South of NHIS and Alhaji Ikharo N. Sally, General Manager (ICT), NHIS.
