Ayade Flag-Off Health Insurance Scheme, Promise Affordable Health Care To Cross Riverians
By Ita Akpan
Calabar
The Government of Cross River State on Tuesday finally flagged off the long awaited state Health Insurance Scheme at Big Quo Primary Health care facility, Calabar.
Speaking during the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Beta Edu, called on the crossriverians and every citizens resistance in the state, to get registered and enjoy quality health care provided by the state government through the laudable health scheme.
The Commissioner said,”It has been a long journey, right from 2015 when we started working on the bill in the house of assembly. Then to 2016, when it was formally passed as a law in Cross River State.
“Today finally, Cross Riverians can access health care in our health facilities, from the primary, secondary and up to the tertiary levels, you can access health care without paying a dime as long as you are registered.
“My call to Cross Riverians is come out in your numbers and register, for the state health insurance scheme. It is not a matter of delaying till when you fall sick and you are rushed to the hospital and register, register now because after you have registered, you will have to wait for 90 days before you will access health are, so get registered,”
Apart from the benefits provided by the scheme, the commissioner also explained that with the yearly registration fee N12,000 per household a subscriber could also stand a chance of winning a whopping N1million Naira for patronising the scheme.
She said, “For just patronising the scheme with your Twelve Thousand Naira, N12,000 yearly registration fee, per household you could also stand a chance of winning a whopping N1Million Naira for yourself. It is a way we say thank you for your patronage” the commissioner said.
On her part, the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Janet Ekpeyoung maintained that, “Government alone cannot finance health, and health is one of the fundamental areas of our lives. And we don’t have enough funds to say government alone should sustain funding health care. And that’s why health insurance gives us that opportunity to strengthen our health system.
“If we must have universal health coverage, then we must have access to quality health care. That is exactly what the Governor Ben Ayade is doing,” she said.
The official flag off was performed by the wife of the governor, Dr Mrs Linda Ayade, who appreciated all efforts put in place to ensure the kick off the health insurance scheme, and called on the every citizens and residents of the state to take advantage of the scheme.
“I thank all who have put their energy and sweat in this process to ensure it works. Ill health does not ring a bell before coming. As a normal human being, you can be healthy today and suck tomorrow,
“So that is why you need the health insurance in place. I hereby officially Flagg off this scheme today,” Mrs Ayade said.
The event was witness by the royal fathers of the area, health officials, donor partners, the residents and the labour leaders.