The Abia State Government on Wednesday officially unveiled the Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme, a comprehensive initiative designed to provide affordable and accessible healthcare coverage for workers in both the public and private sectors.
In addition, the State Government also launched a Free Medical Outreach program aimed at delivering a wide range of medical services, including consultations, treatments, and minor surgeries at no cost to patients.
The event also featured the launch of the Sound Intervention Hearing Mission and distribution of over 1,000 Free Hearing Aid, an initiative of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, in partnership with the Abia State Government targeted at supporting residents with hearing impairments.
Speaking at the launch, held at the international Conference Center, Umuahia, which had in attendance, former President president Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Alex Otti emphasized his administration’s commitment to providing affordable and quality Healthcare services to Abians.
“It is no longer news that our administration is determined to drastically improve access to quality and affordable healthcare in every community in our State.
“We have demonstrated our commitment in this regard by the consistency of investments in multiple frontiers of the healthcare services ecosystem.
“In the 2024 and 2025 appropriation cycles, we raised the bar on public health expenditure by consistently earmarking 15% of the total budgetary outlay to the sector; prioritising infrastructure upgrade, equipment supply and maintenance, personnel welfare and capacity development, supply of drugs and medical consumables.
“Our vision for health care delivery is to build a system that is dynamic and responsive to the needs of the local population, catering to multiple health needs at affordable cost to the individual and in some cases borne entirely by the government.
“In the New Abia, no one will be denied access to health services for reasons of financial incapacity or for any reason at all because our approach is holistic”, Governor Otti said
The Governor emphasized that the Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme will provide tens of thousands of Civil Servants and their dependents with affordable, round-the-clock healthcare services.
He revealed that the Formal Health Insurance Scheme would go beyond the provision of essential medical diagnostics and laboratory services to beneficiaries to offer surgical, orthopaedic, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology services to enrolees at a tiny fraction of the prevailing market rate.
“The Formal Health Insurance Initiative will ease the financial strain individuals and families pass through, especially in times of emergencies and cut down the incidence of maternal and neonatal mortalities.
“It will ultimately improve the general quality of living and life expectancy figures in the State through early detection of hidden ailments and timely management of conditions that may lead to untimely deaths”, the Governor stated.
He noted the the State Government in it’s bid to encourage enrolment would shoulder the bulk of the insurance premiums, with beneficiaries contributing only 50% of the required amount for the first six months.
Governor Otti expressed gratitude to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his enduring patriotism, support, commitment to public services and personal presence at the event, describing him as “a statesman whose legacy continues to inspire generations”.
He called on Abians to sustain their support by fulfilling their civic duties, especially through prompt tax payments, to ensure continued funding of impactful programs like the new health initiatives.
In his remarks, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, emphasized the importance of prioritizing healthcare as an essential pillar for national development and stress the need for early diagnosis and intervention.
Obasanjo, while noting that hearing loss should not carry any stigma, urged Government’s at all levels to invest in training personnel who can conduct hearing tests, maintain and repair equipment, and support individuals requiring improved hearing devices.
He further called for sustained partnerships and increased awareness to ensure more Nigerians, especially the elderly and vulnerable, have access to hearing care services that will enhance their quality of life.
In an address, the Commissioner for Health Professor Enoch Ogbonna said that the 3 interrelated sustainable projects is meant to synergize and accelerate a customized health programs to enable the state gain significant mileage in the journey to universal health coverage and health equity.
He noted that the launch of the formal sector of the Health Insurance heralds the onset of access to affordable healthcare to civil servants and their dependants, adding that the partnership with the Olusegun Obasanjo foundation speaks to the State government’s comprehensive approach to all aspects of healthcare.
The Executive Secretary, Abia State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Chidozie Egwuonwu described the Formal Health Insurance Scheme as a testament of the Governor’s unwavering commitment to providing healthcare for all Abians, achieve universal health coverage and prevent unnecessary deaths.
The event featured a paper presentation titled: “Prevention of Hearing Loss-Changing Mindset: Empowering Yourself Through Sound Intervention Hearing Mission, So Nigeria May hear by Prof. Emeritus of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Nigeria, Basil Ezeanolue and was attended by dignitaries.
