By Iliya Kure
Cross River State in south-south Nigeria says it is developing operational guidelines for implementation of its Health Insurance Scheme meant for residents of the state.
Already Governor Ben Ayade has signed into law the provision for the take-off of the Health Insurance Scheme.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong told a meeting of Health Insurance stakeholders in Abuja that the scheme when inaugurated, will provide cover to all residents for diseases treatable in the state.
“We didn’t just introduce a law, we brought together all that we need to make it work. The law provides a platform for collaboration of stakeholders in the healthcare financing as well as identifying their roles and responsibilities in the governance structure to avoid conflict of functions,” she told the gathering,” she said.
The Scheme which is mandatory for all residents of the state to enrol, will require each person to pay a premium of N1,000.
“Apart from the N1,000 premium by beneficiaries, the state government is also committing 1% of its consolidated revenue to finance the scheme,” she said.
The Commissioner added that the state government has commenced construction of referral General Hospitals in various locations across the state to handle cases beyond the level of primary health care centres.
The State is also working towards increasing manpower in the health sector preparatory to the take-off of the Scheme, scheduled for 1st October, 2017.
According to her, the search for Executive Secretary of the agency has been advertised for a worthy individual of any nationality to apply, but such person must have expertise in health insurance.
“We are confident that the law will work in the state, the governor is one of the signatory of the scheme’s bank account and he has a personal interest having it succeed, what else do we need? she queried.
The meeting was organised by Nigeria Health Watch, a health advocacy NGO, with support from Christian Aid, an International NGO.