Uzodimma Set Trajectories for Universal Health in Imo
From Marcel Duru
The Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma has set trajectories for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Imo State.
Speaking at the occasion, Uzodimma stated that the provision of free health insurance coverage for workers of Imo State is part of the quest for a new Imo State geared towards building prosperity.
The Governor urged the private and informal sector to join hands with the government to provide quality life for the citizens.
While pledging the full support of his administration, Governor Uzodimma charged the operators of the program not to hide under bureaucracy to sabotage the program.
“As long as we will get value for money, as long as we will get quality service, as long as due process and transparency is respected, the government of Imo State under my watch will continue to support this program”.
The Governor threw a challenge saying, “I challenge the operators of this program. No matter how efficient any program is as conceived, no matter how efficient the technology deployed, no matter how flamboyant the program may appear, and no matter the amount of money injected into the program; If the human factor is not efficient, it will be brought to not”.
Making his remarks at the event in Owerri, the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Uchenna Ewelike announced that the Imo health insurance program is meant to reduce and finally stop the vicious circle of poverty, disease and death brought about by out of pocket payments in health financing.
Dr Ewelike revealed that in the last 12 weeks, his agency has successfully enrolled 66,003 vulnerable populations across the 305 political wards in Imo State under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Dr Prosper Ohayagha Success, the Imo State Commissioner for Health thanked the Governor for his backing in the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Imo State Health Insurance Agency in the implementation of their four key programs that will enable all population segments in the state to have easy access to healthcare.
According to the Health Commissioner, the Governor has demonstrated strong political commitment by approving the payment of premium for about 47,000 civil servants in the state.
