Hundreds of people from the Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency of Cross River State have been enrolled into the national health insurance scheme, courtesy of their representative in the National Assembly, Dr Alex Egbona.
Speaking at the formal launch of the scheme which took place separately at Itigidi, headquarters of Abi LGA and Ugep, headquarters of Yakurr LGA, Egbona said he had to get his people to benefit from the insurance scheme because they needed to be alive to enjoy the projects and programmes he had attracted to the area.
Egbona, who is the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Specialty Healthcare, said he had to make deliberate efforts towards attracting health related projects to the constituency so that his people could live long and enjoy good health.
“Even though I have attracted various projects to this constituency since you sent me to Abuja to represent you in the National Assembly, including school buildings, water, electricity, empowerment projects etc; and even though I have sponsored several bills and motions, I consider initiatives like this very important because it has to do with human life.
“It was for this reason that I also facilitated the renovation of virtually all the health centres in the constituency, equip them with modern facilities and train the health workers, before embarking on the first of its kind free medical outreach which took place sometime last year in all parts of the federal constituency.
My belief is that our people need to be alive and in good health to be able to enjoy the projects I have attracted from the federal government. That is why, during the first phase of this programme, about 1000 of our people who would ordinarily not have been able to afford medicare, would be given the ticket to benefit from free medical treatments whenever they are sick. With this insurance scheme, all the beneficiaries would not need to spend a kobo to get treatment.”
He said in months to come, more people would be enrolled to benefit from the health scheme. “We are enrolling about 1000 constituents today in Abi/Yakurr. And in the coming weeks and months, more people will also be enrolled. This is in line with my commitment to the welfare and good life of all Abi/Yakurr people.
“Two hospitals have been chosen where the beneficiaries will receive medical attention. In Abi, we will use the Eja Memorial Hospital, Itigidi and in Yakurr, the General Hospital, Ugep has been selected.
“As we look forward to enjoying more projects and programmes in this constituency, I urge you to remain law abiding, loyal and supportive of the Peoples First government of Senator Bassey Otu and the Renewed Hope government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
At the event, Dr. Ogbaji Anthony Ogar, Medical Superintendent for Abi, and Mr. Charlly Ikpi, Desk Officer, NHIS, General Hospital Ugep, as well as Mr. Stanley Effah, State Coordinator, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Calabar, were present.
Speaking during the event, representatives of the NHIS and local health officials encouraged residents to enroll in the scheme, emphasizing that health remained the most vital form of empowerment.
According to them, each beneficiary will receive an access card containing information on personal identification details and guarantees one year of free healthcare coverage under the sponsored NHIS programme.
Effah, in his speech, commended Egbona for his proactive leadership and genuine concern for his people. He described the project as a bold step toward community health development, urging residents not to take the opportunity for granted.
