By Kingsley Agim, CRS-MOI Officer, reporting from CRHIA
The Director-General of Cross River Health Insurance Agency, also known as ‘AYADECARE,’ Chief Godwin Iyala has vehemently stated that the “well conceptualized” Cross River Health Insurance Scheme, on commencement of enrollment, would herald a major health revolution as the State surges towards achieve Universal Health Coverage for her citizens.
The Director-General, who made the affirmation during a media parley held recently in his Office in Calabar, also disclosed that the State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade will be flagging-off the commencement of enrolment into the Scheme on 7th April, 2020, being the United Nations’ World Health Day.
Chief Iyala stated that the Agency and Scheme which were flagged-off in 2018 by the Governor, duly backed by Act 2016 of the Law of the State, has partnered United State Agency for International Development (USAID), through Health Finance Governance Project, in setting up the governance architecture as well as operational guidelines ahead of the implementation of the Scheme.
The CRHIA Boss restated the Ayade-led administration’s commitment towards the commencement of the Scheme in order for residents of the State to enjoy quality healthcare, noting that AYADECARE will cushion out-of-pocket/catastrophic spending on health and bring succor to all residents of the State.
He hinted that the Scheme’s package will cater for ailments such as caesarean sections for pregnant women, tuberculosis, leprosy, cancer (to an extent) and all other basic ailments, noting that to qualify for access to such healthcare, an enrollee is expected to pay a monthly fee of one thousand naira (N1, 000.00), amounting to twelve thousand naira (12, 000.00) per annum.
Continuing, Chief Iyala remarked that “the Federal Government contribution of one percent (1%) of its Consolidated Revenue Fund to every State Social Health Insurance Agency/Scheme, amounting to 55.1 billion for the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory is expected to enroll the ‘Vulnerable Population’ – children of 0-5 years, pregnant women (mostly from the indigent community), the aged, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), and by extension, some indigent persons living with ‘vertical diseases’ like HIV, tuberculosis, leprosy, etc.”
He also reminded that, in addition, the State Governor approval one percent (1%) of the State’s Consolidated Revenue to be contributed into the Scheme as well as the 100 million compulsory commitment fee, accessible to the Scheme, further lend impetus to the smooth take-off of Scheme on April 7, 2020.
The DG said the target from the flag-off is to capture at least one million enrollees by the end of 2020, making about 20% of the population of the State, hoping that by 2022, a larger part of the State’s population will be captured into the Scheme, strengthening the State’s march towards achievement of Universal Health Coverage.
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