Stakeholders seek improved health insurance for Anambra women

The Anambra State Government and key stakeholders have committed to a coordinated strategy to boost enrollment in the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) scheme, focusing on women of child-bearing age and other vulnerable populations. The initiative aims to enhance community mobilization and overcome obstacles, notably the mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) requirement.

The agreement was reached during a roundtable discussion organized under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project, supported by the International Budget Partnership. The event convened representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and community groups to devise practical solutions for improving health insurance access.

Participants, including officials from the National Identity Management Commission and the National Health Insurance Authority, resolved to utilize the ongoing ward-to-ward NIN registration exercise. This effort will simultaneously mobilize women of reproductive age and other vulnerable residents for both NIN registration and enrollment into the state health insurance scheme.

Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, Permanent Secretary of the Anambra State Ministry of Health, identified the compulsory NIN as a significant barrier preventing indigent residents from accessing healthcare funded by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. "It is observed that beneficiaries must possess NIN before they can be enrolled through ASHIA, yet many vulnerable people, including children, elderly persons and indigent residents, do not have one," Uchebo stated.

The roundtable provided a crucial platform for government institutions and community leaders to collaboratively develop actionable solutions for expanding healthcare access. Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo of Justice Development and Peace Caritas, Nnewi, urged participants to openly identify challenges and propose recommendations to improve maternal and child healthcare through wider insurance coverage.

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It is observed that beneficiaries must possess NIN before they can be enrolled through ASHIA, yet many vulnerable people, including children, elderly persons and indigent residents, do not have one.