By Jonathan Ugbal
The Cross River State Health Insurance Agency on Saturday at the General Hospital Ogoja, began the enrollment of 500 beneficiaries of the ‘adopt a life for health’ insurance scheme sponsored by the Senator representing Cross River North district in the 10th National Assembly, Jarigbe Agom.
Tagged “Jaricares,” the scheme will benefit 100 persons in each Local Government Area of the district for a whole year and covers no fewer than 20 illnesses including ante-natal, post-natal care, referrals, the Director General of the agency, Chief Godwin Iyalla explains, while stressing the benefit of health insurance schemes.
“One illness can wipe out the money you think you have. Some people sell products and properties to access medicare. Imagine if you have twins or triplets and your spouse is a low-income earner like an Okada rider, this is what you need,” Mr. Iyalla said, adding that; “if the hospital refers you to another, we are the ones paying, it doesn’t affect you. The only thing that should concern you is presenting your policy card to your assigned medical facility.”
Iyalla, who has been in the insurance business for decades, urged all to, “thank Senator Jarigbe and thank Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu who ensured that this program works and is spread around in line with his campaign promises.”
On his part, the lawmaker said the approach was in fulfillment of his campaign promise and his belief that good health of his constituents translates into wealth.
Represented by Mrs. Ellah Esther, Senator Agom averred that; “When the Senator went round during his campaign, one of the things that was at the top of his agenda was health and education. And, because we come from a place where people don’t really save up money to cushion the effect of health challenges, and when you are going to fall sick, there is no notification; you must fall sick, so he decided to do this for his people.
“The most interesting thing about adopting these 500 persons is that it has nothing to do with (political) party (affiliation). It is not the People’s Democratic Party. It is about the people, his constituents. Today, I want to tell us that, aside from these first 500, there are other plans for health,” she said, and urged the beneficiaries to always introduce themselves properly when accessing these services.
The Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Mrs. Helen Bissong, in her remarks urged beneficiaries to reach out to the agency if service was not rendered to them.
The Medical Superintendents of the three General Hospitals in the senatorial district – Ogoja, Dr. Christopher Ugbe; Okpoma, Dr. Eczema Ignatius and Obanliku, Dr. Egbaji Francis Nsing in their remarks commended the lawmaker, the agency and the state for the program.
They, called on the State to provide more manpower as they strive to provide the services within their means, and urged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity. Furthermore, the sought for an improved critical mass information mechanism in the senatorial district to sensitize the people on the benefits of health insurance schemes.
The enrollment exercise continues in each of the Local Government Area Secretariat until all beneficiaries are captured. They will have a waiting period of 30 days before within which they are issued their policy numbers and card.
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