The House of Representatives has called on the Akwa Ibom State government and relevant health agencies in the state to put machinery in place to ramp up enrollment of citizens into the Health Insurance Scheme.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji , made the call at an interactive session with officials of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health and its Agencies in Uyo. The visit of the Committee Members was part of it’s oversight functions on the health sector to assess the utilization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the federal government.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is a federal government initiative established by the 2014 National Health Act to fund primary healthcare and move the nation toward universal health coverage. It is financed by a grant of at least 1% of the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, grants from international partners, and other public and private sources as well as counterpart funding from state governments. The fund is used to provide a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS), strengthen the primary healthcare system, and cover emergency medical treatment.
The fund is allocated to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) (45%) to strengthen the primary healthcare system. 50% of the fund is allocated to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to purchase the Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) while 5% goes to the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) to provide emergency medical treatment.
Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji , who expressed dissatisfaction at the low enrollment figures in the Health Insurance Scheme, urged the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency to liaise with members of the National Assembly from the state for them to buy health insurance for their constituents as part of their constituency projects, and design initiatives to incorporate local government workers and the informal sector into the scheme.
The lawmaker however commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his outstanding commitment to revitalizing the State’s health sector through comprehensive reforms.
“Please extend my appreciation to the Governor for his good works. We have been to several states, but I can tell you that we haven’t seen anything compared to what we saw here in Akwa Ibom. The Model Primary Health Centre is impressive, and the fact that the State Government is replicating this same project across all local government areas is commendable and is something that should be replicated across the country,” he said.
“Primary healthcare is the first line of access for the people, and if we got it right, our entire health sector would thrive. We also want you to explore how the informal sector can be encouraged to embrace the health insurance initiative of Governor Umo Eno,” he added.
The federal lawmaker said the National Assembly would continue to work with the sub-nationals and other partners to ensure universal health coverage for Nigerians.
Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, Doctor Ekem John, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to repositioning the health sector for efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability, listed some of the interventions of the state government aimed at providing quality health care for the people of the state to include a declaration of a state of emergency in the health sector, provision of health infrastructures and recruitment of more health professionals.
“We currently have three technical teams comprising architects and surveyors who have gone round the State. By the end of March next year, we expect to deliver fully revitalized general hospitals with new infrastructure, equipment, and accommodation for healthcare personnel,” he said.
Dr John lauded the State Governor for approving improved allowances for health workers in the state.
The State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the State Health Insurance Agency, made presentations on the utilization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Members of the Committee had earlier visited some health facilities in the state including the Model Primary Health Centre, Barrack Road, Uyo.
