Mrs. Obiano Tasks The Rich On Healthcare Services For The Poor

EMEKA OZUMBA

The wife of the Executive Governor of Anambra State and founder of NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE), Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme), has called on wealthy individuals in the state to contribute to the provision of healthcare to less privileged citizens through the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme (ASHIS) which guarantees residents of the state affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services.

Osodieme made the plea during the commissioning of four CAFE Indigent Widows Housing projects built with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and donated to beneficiaries at Oroma-Etiti, Anam; Umunankwo, and Ossomala, Ogbaru and Obosi communities in Anambra State.

According to Osodieme, “I am urging business and political leaders to channel their philanthropy into ensuring that less privileged people in our communities’ access healthcare services which have been made possible by our ‘Working Governor through the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme”.

“As Mama Anambra, I can tell you that I am blessed with many successful and rich children who own private jets. Irrespective of their political affiliations, I enjoin them to adopt people in their communities and register them with Anambra Health Insurance Agency for this wonderful initiative” Osodieme stated.

Earlier, Osodieme commissioned four furnished 2-Bedroom bungalow built by her NGO, CAFÉ and handed the keys to Mrs. Iveonu Ekwenze at Oroma-Etiti, Anam, Anambra West; Mrs. Ebele Obazue at Umunankwo,  and Mrs. Ngozika Osadebe both in Ogbaru; and Mrs. Ifeoma Nwaobosi at Omura village, Obosi, Idemili Local Governement Area respectively. The Governor’s wife has so built and handed over 22 houses to beneficiaries across the state

Explaining how the insurance scheme works, the Executive Secretary of Anambra Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Balonwu Onyemechi, said that the agency was established by law in 2016 to provide mandatory health insurance cover to all residents of Anambra State for the treatment of common infections, childhood illnesses, care for pregnant mothers as well as common surgeries through partner hospitals in the state. The cost of the scheme is N12, 500 per person per Annum or N1000 per month with N500 as one-off registration fee.

Dr. Onyemaechi, revealed that over 30 thousands persons have so far registered with the agency, while 260 private and public hospitals are implementing the ASHIS across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state. He encouraged ndi Anambra to embrace the scheme as a good source of affordable healthcare since the state government has already committed 5% percent substantial contribution in the budget.

Also speaking , the transition Chairmen of Anambra West Local Government, Sylvester Orji Okafor, Comrade Arinze Awogu of Ogbaru, and Hon Asha Nnabuife of Idemili North, in their respective addresses commended Osodieme for providing succour to beneficiary widows in their communities as well making the case for affordable healthcare services for all.

Prominent sons and daughters of Anambra, who graced the occasions and harkened to Osodieme’s plea by contributing and adopting beneficiaries for the healthcare scheme include; Chief Chukwudi Oguejiofor, Onwa Enugwu-Ukwu; Chief Michael Onwuchelu, Akwuenwebe of Odekpe, Member Representing Onitsha North Constituency II in Anambra State House of Assembly,  Hon Edward Ibuzo, Special Assistant to the Government on Farming Implements, Hon Paul Nwosu and former Chairman Anambra West Local Government, Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, among others.