As part of programmes to mark its second anniversary, Akwa Ibom State health insurance agency has donated a set of computers and tablets to healthcare facilities across the state to strengthen data gathering services in an effort to further expand access to healthcare in the state.
With over 237,000 enrollees, the agency is seen as one of the fastest growing health insurance agencies in the country in its vision to provide financial access to qualitative, affordable and sustainable healthcare services.
The event which attracted healthcare practitioners from primary, secondary (private and public) and tertiary hospitals in all the 31 Local Government Areas of the state had in attendance, Ekem Emmanuel, the state Commissioner for Health, Edikan Ekwere, the Chairman of Health Insurance Board and Igbemi Arthur Igbemi, the executive secretary of the agency, among other top management officials.
In his speech, the commissioner for health lauded Governor Umo Eno for the vision of establishing the health insurance agency to expand access to affordable healthcare adding that two years after the health insurance agency, it has recorded significant progress with many residents getting onboard for the scheme.
“The governor came with a vision , he promised that healthcare will be accessible to all, his most ambitious intervention has been building new Primary Healthcare Centres across the state,’’ he said.
He commended the agency for the strides recorded and urged healthcare workers in the state to be committed to their work by being dedicated, showing empathy and avoiding truancy in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Also speaking, a medical doctor and chairman of the agency, Edikan Ekwere, said the event special in that it was an opportunity to to appreciate some of their partners in the health sector through the donation of souvenir gadgets as data collection tools adding that in all, over 20 laptops and 100 tablets were given out to the healthcare facilities .
“As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to greater achievements in the years ahead in line with the vision of the Arise Agenda to make quality and affordable healthcare accessible to all residents of Akwa Ibom State,’’ he said.
He also lauded the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Igbemi Arthur Igbemi, also a medical doctor for his dedication to duty and his contributions to placing the agency where it is since its inception two years ago.
Welcoming the guests, the executive secretary highlighted the focus of the second anniversary and said it was to “strengthen the agency’s ability towards the realisation of the Arise Agency through the provision of gadgets and laptops to enhance data collection and management.
He also lauded heads of health facilities across the state for their support and collaboration, adding that their contributions have helped in the progress made by the agency and stressed the continuous need to strengthen data management systems for evidence based planning in the health sector.
Those who attended the event included medical superintendents of various general hospitals, heads of primary healthcare facilities as well as the management staff members of the agency among others.
