Governor Obiano promises quality, affordable healthcare

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra has renewed his promise to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to the people of the state.

Obiano said this during the public hearing on a Bill to establish the State Health Insurance Scheme by the the State House of Assembly Committee on Health in Awka.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike, the governor emphasised that healthcare delivery remained one of his top priorities.

He assured that measures to ensure full implementation and sustainability of the scheme had been put in place.

Mrs Rita Maduagwu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, said the hearing was to enable members of the public contribute to the process of law-making.

She explained that the forum would give members of the public the opportunity to contribute in other matters that would guarantee their welfare.

However, Maduagwu said that the bill was critical to the health condition of the people of the state.

She emphasised that lawmakers would continue to ensure quality laws and resolutions for the peace and progress of the state and its people.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr Nnamdi Okafor, said the hearing was to ensure that the people participated in the process of ensuring quality healthcare to the citizenry.

Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, Chief Medical Director, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, described NHIS as a social health insurance programme.

He added that the scheme combines the principle of socialism with that of insurance which could be likened to pooling of risks and resources together.

Igwegbe urged the state legislature to give the bill an accelerated for the benefit of the people.

He expressed optimism that when passed into law, the bill would stimulate the executive to establish the agency for the implementation of the scheme.