The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commenced the enrolment of 10,000 people into health insurance in the Rivers West senatorial district of Rivers State.

The flag-off of the enrolment under the “Bringing Healthcare Home” initiative, sponsored by Senator Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, held at Ahoada East, Rivers State.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Authority, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, observed the importance of health insurance as a potent vehicle for tackling health poverty, noting that providing access to quality and affordable health care addresses social inequality.

He said, “Three things that can deprive you of your dignity: one: extreme poverty, because it deprives you of your means of livelihood; the second is lack of education because it takes away your agency as a human being; and the third, which is the most serious, is ill health. Not only because it takes away your health, it also takes away your dignity and your humanity.”

Ohiri noted various efforts made to expand coverage, stressing that it is unacceptable that 70 percent of Nigerians spend out-of-pocket on their healthcare.

According to Emmanuel Ononokpono, the Acting Director Media and Public Relations at the NHIA, Ohiri summed up efforts made since taking office to include expanding coverage to as many people, ensuring the inclusion of the vulnerable, poor and elderly, and improving quality of care.

Also speaking at the occasion, Senator Banigo noted that facilitating health insurance for her constituents was an effort dear to her heart, stressing that bringing healthcare to the people is an initiative to which she is wholly committed.

Over 30 beneficiaries were presented with their health insurance identity cards at the ceremony.

Enrollees of the programme are drawn from the eight local governments in the Rivers West senatorial district of the state.