The Abia State Health Insurance Agency (ABSHIA) has announced plans to commence a statewide mass enrollment of pupils and students in all public primary and secondary schools across the 17 local government areas of the state.
The initiative, which will be implemented under the Students Vulnerable Groups Social Health Insurance Programme (SVG-SHIP), is designed to provide eligible students with access to primary and secondary healthcare services at no cost to their parents or guardians.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ABSHIA, Dr. Chidoziem Egwuonwu, disclosed this during a recent radio interview on the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA). He explained that the programme is in line with the directive of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, which mandates compulsory school enrollment for all school-age children in the state.
According to Dr. Egwuonwu, the health insurance scheme is aimed at removing health-related barriers that often hinder school attendance and academic performance, particularly among children from vulnerable backgrounds.
“The Abia State Students Vulnerable Groups Social Health Insurance Programme for public primary and secondary schools represents a major step toward ensuring equitable access to healthcare for vulnerable children,” he said. “By guaranteeing access to essential health services, the programme will not only improve health outcomes but also support improved learning and educational success.”
He revealed that the agency had earlier conducted a six-month pilot phase of the programme, during which about 17,000 students from public primary and secondary schools across the 17 local government areas were successfully enrolled. The pilot, he noted, provided valuable insights into the programme’s impact, feasibility and sustainability, with encouraging results.
Dr. Egwuonwu further explained that all enrolled students would be linked to Primary Health Centres closest to their schools, ensuring timely and easy access to healthcare services. He added that the programme would operate on a fee-for-service payment model, rather than the conventional capitation system, to ensure efficiency and accountability in service delivery.
The ABSHIA boss expressed appreciation to Governor Otti for his strong political will and commitment to the welfare of Abia residents, noting that the release of adequate funds by the state government has been critical to the success and planned expansion of the programme.
He called on key stakeholders—including local government mayors, traditional rulers, the State Ministry of Basic Education, policymakers, educators, healthcare providers and community leaders—to lend their support to the initiative.
Dr. Egwuonwu emphasized that collective commitment from all stakeholders is essential to achieving the programme’s goal of ensuring that every child in Abia State has access to quality healthcare, regardless of socio-economic status, thereby laying a solid foundation for a healthier and more productive future generation.
