The Abia State Health Insurance Scheme has surpassed its 2025 enrolment target of 100,000 participants, recording 103,076 enrolees as of 17th August.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday in Umuahia while briefing Journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
“The current enrollment figure is 103,076 participants. This is more than an eloquent endorsement of the scheme by the sector participants and a display of an abiding trust by the participants that the scheme has the potential to address their most pressing health care needs”, Prince Kanu said.
He disclosed that enrolment for the informal sector will commence this week, with details to be made available soon.
Prince Kanu also revealed that the Ministry of Health recently created two new departments; the Abia Drug and Medical Commodities Management Agency and the Department of Nutrition, in line with the Federal Government’s N-774 Nutrition Initiative.
The Commissioner also revealed that 121 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been completed under the Government’s Project Ekwueme, with 17 already functional and 33 currently being equipped.
“33 of the completed PHCs are being equipped currently and ready for functionalisation. When completed, this will bring the total number of functionalised PHCs to 50.
“The next batch to be functionalised thereafter, will be another 50. And this will form part of the third phase of the completed PHCs to be fully equipped for use by members of the public”, the Commissioner explained.
Prince Kanu noted that delays in meeting the earlier 100-day completion target were caused by an expanded scope of work, weather conditions and contractor lapses, adding that the revised completion date is now set for 31st October 2025.
The Commissioner cited the growing public confidence in the health sector with bed occupancy at ABSUTH which rose from 50% in August 2024 to 100% in March 2025, as a result of the investment in the healthcare sector by the present administration.
“The upward swing in the bed occupancy rate speaks to the high level of investment that the state government has made in terms of equipment and medical personnel in the health sector. This is the story of other state-owned health facilities”, he said.
Prince Kanu further disclosed that the State Executive Council also approved a new Health, Safety and Environment Policy for Civil Servants, which he described as “a major milestone in the State Government’s determination to cater for the health, safety and well-being” of its workforce, adding that implementation details would be approved by the Governor.
