06/10/2024
HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME: CROSS RIVER STRIDING TOWARDS UHC
By Kingsley Agim
It was renowned American politician and healthcare leader, Kathleen Sebelius who said "Health insurance is not just a financial safety net, it is a lifeline for individuals and families." The above statement emphatically accentuates the vital role health insurance plays in protecting individuals and families from financial ruins occasioned by out-of-pocket expenditure on health related needs.
Upon assumption of office, one of the programmes Governor Bassey Otu sought to strengthen was the Health Insurance Scheme. The Governor's reason for that was not far-fetched. Right from his electioneering days, the 'Sweet Prince' identified a healthy citizenry as central to his imminent administration, with the view that without a healthy citizenry, government's efforts towards effective leadership would be a futile joke.
Understanding that universal health coverage has a closer affinity with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Governor Otu quickly appointed the progenitor of Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Sir Godwin Iyala, a seasoned Health Financing Expert, this time, ably assisted by a team of five other competent experts in various units, to expand the frontiers of health insurance and ensure that quality and affordable healthcare is made accessible to all Cross Riverians.
The team has since hit the ground running; attaining new heights through more enrollments, and continuous advocacy for public buy-in. So far, appreciable grounds have been gained with 51,944 enrollees from the vulnerable population which is catered for by the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) gateways from the State and Federal Governments, as well as the formal sector. The informal sector is still grappling with hesitancy, with enrollment coming in trickles.
With the vision to build a strong and efficient Cross River State Health Insurance Agency delivering Universal Health Coverage to all residents, the Scheme's mission is to improve access to health care delivery in Cross River State through provision of robust oversight and strategic purchasing of high quality services for all residents of the state.
Its mandate is to implement the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme and to ensure that all citizens/residents enjoy the maximum benefits of the Scheme.
While the Otu-led administration is trying its best to make healthcare more accessible to Cross Riverians and residents of the state, it is incumbent on the governed to buy-in into the social health insurance programme and avoid consequences like medical debt, delayed or foregone care, poor health outcomes, increased mortality rates, as well as financial instability.
The key implications for being insured under the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme is that, with a paltry sum of one thousand Naira premium, one can walk into an accredited health facility and access care for their health needs. When insured, one is guaranteed financial stability as insurance shields against catastrophic medical costs. Additionally, emotional security, access to care, preventive care and social stability are all guaranteed.
It is common knowledge that the present administration is making significant effort to improve healthcare infrastructure and human resources. The only challenge now is the full buy-in from the citizens. Government has done creditably well to elicit public buy-in, as health insurance remains the only gateway to universal health coverage.
