STAKEHOLDERS SEEK IMPROVED HEALTH INSURANCE FOR ANAMBRA WOMEN

The Anambra State Government and key stakeholders have agreed on a coordinated plan to increase the enrolment of women of child-bearing age and other vulnerable groups into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) scheme by strengthening community mobilisation and addressing barriers created by the mandatory National Identification Number requirement.

The commitment was made at a roundtable discussion organised under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project, supported by the International Budget Partnership, held in Nnewi.

The engagement brought together representatives of government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community groups to identify practical solutions to improving access to health insurance.

Participants included officials of the National Identity Management Commission, National Health Insurance Authority, National Orientation Agency, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Anambra State Town Unions Council, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities and Community Development Network.

During the engagement, the stakeholders resolved to leverage the ongoing ward-to-ward NIN registration exercise to mobilise women of reproductive age and other vulnerable residents for both NIN registration and enrolment into the state health insurance scheme.

The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, identified the compulsory NIN requirement as one of the biggest obstacles preventing indigent residents from accessing healthcare under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.

Uchebo said, “It is observed that beneficiaries must possess NIN before they can be enrolled through ASHIA, yet many vulnerable people, including children, elderly persons and indigent residents, do not have one.

“The roundtable provided an opportunity for government institutions and community leaders to jointly develop practical solutions that would expand healthcare access for vulnerable populations.”

The Director of Justice Development and Peace Caritas, Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo, urged participants to openly identify challenges and propose workable recommendations that would improve maternal and child healthcare through wider health insurance coverage.

Executive Director of the Civil Rights Council, Okey Onyeka, described the meeting as an opportunity to jointly tackle barriers affecting pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, commended the commitment demonstrated by participating agencies and community leaders, expressing optimism that stronger collaboration would significantly improve health insurance enrolment among women of child-bearing age.

Introducing the SPARK 2 project, Programme Officer of JDPC Nnewi, Onyekachi Ololo, said the initiative is designed to strengthen accountability and improve primary healthcare delivery in six local government areas of Anambra State.

He said, “Findings from community engagements showed that the NIN requirement remained one of the biggest barriers to health insurance enrolment, making the stakeholders’ dialogue necessary.

“The project is also working with government and community actors to strengthen referrals from traditional birth attendants, build the capacity of Ward Development Committees and sustain community advocacy through regular town hall meetings.”

Representative of the acting Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Dr Ngozi Okeke, urged Ward Development Committee chairmen to intensify sensitisation in their communities, especially among women of child-bearing age, noting that the benefits of health insurance were enormous.

At the end of the meeting, stakeholders agreed to deepen collaboration, strengthen community mobilisation and awareness campaigns, maximise the ongoing ward-to-ward NIN registration and encourage affluent community members to support indigent residents in obtaining the documentation needed for enrolment.