In developing economies, socio-economic growth and development are relatively slow and sometimes do not reflect the level of investment made by government. This is more so in the health sector where efforts to achieve the provision of the much needed efficient and sustainable healthcare delivery system is yet to be realized.
The adoption of health insurance scheme modeled after the South Africa system by former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration was part of measures initiated to reposition and transform the Nigeria’s healthcare system.
The Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme established through Decree thirty-frive of 1999, was aimed at substantial reduction of financial burden on less privileged and vulnerable Nigerians to accessing adequate and quality healthcare services.
Former President Obasanjo also encouraged state governments to domesticate the Health Insurance Scheme and strive to make it sustainable through sufficient budgetary provisions to further the frontiers of functional healthcare service. This is because a healthy populace is critical for manpower development and higher productivity that would enhance the country’s economic development and improved Gross Domestic Product-GDP.
Since its establishment, the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme, has been well positioned to champion the drive towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on Universal Health Coverage.
Sustained enlightenment programmes of the agency has continued to sensitize people on its overall health benefits for easy and affordable access to adequate and quality healthcare services.
Governor Soludo’s administration has continued to demonstrate the need for a world class healthcare delivery system; and employed thousands of healthcare workers to reverse the challenge of inadequate healthcare workers in health facilities.
The Governor equally equip and stock primary healthcare centers, General and Teaching hospitals with necessary equipment and drugs to enhance efficient healthcare delivery while new modern hospitals were built where non existed in the senatorial zones of the state, to give everybody easy access to quality healthcare services.
In other to assist Ndi Anambra, especially people at the grassroots to enjoy the many benefits of the state health insurance scheme, there is need for privileged individuals including members of the Anambra State House of Assembly to enroll more beneficiaries from their constituencies.
This will help reduce the burden of ill health and raise the living standard of the people as well as improve daily productivity in their various ventures which will generate more incomes to the people and enable them to carry out their civic responsibilities to government including payment of taxes, to encourage more development in the state and enhance the Gross Domestic Product, GDP.
The establishment of ASHIA has indeed brought a new dawn and there is need to consolidate on gains already recorded.
POLYCARP ONWUBIKO
