*EBSHIA Seeks Enrolee in the State Health Insurance Scheme
*Call on Workers to embrace the Scheme
The Ebonyi State Government has encouraged its workers to embrace the Ebonyi health insurance scheme introduced by the present adminstration to help facilitate affordable health care service. This was made known to THE VOICE at the flag off of health insurance sensitisation scheme for workers in the State.
Speaking, Governor Umahi who was represented by his Special Assistant on Inter-Party and Labour Matters, Comrade Mrs Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor at the flagged off of the sensitization programme at Onueke in Ezza South LGA of the State disclosed that the sensization was made necessary following the approval of by the labour leaders in the state.
He said the awareness campaign on health insurance scheme for the workers was in line with the agreement between the state government and the labour leaders, last Monday in their meeting in Abakaliki.
The governor had earlier expressed joy that the programme would give him the opportunity to interact with the state workers to ascertain their views before the implementation of the health insurance scheme.
“I want to thank God for today and I want to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, who have given me the opportunity to interact with workers, for us to know their views before the implementation of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme,” he said
Umahi noted that the health insurance scheme would be of great benefit to the workers if they get themselves enrolled.
“I want to tell us that it’s a good thing. I want also to tell you that nobody is going to do any deduction in your salary without your consent. What are we talking about? It is the deduction of 1.7 per cent from your salary account. At times, you may go to a hospital by emergency and the hospital may be demanding millions of Naira. At times, you may not have money to pay but if you are enrolled into health insurance scheme, all these will be taken care of.
“We are not saying that you are going to be sick, yes, but sometimes, it is good to prepare for the rainy days.” I believe that the Executive Secretary of EBSHIA has told us what health insurance is all about. I equally believe that you understood her. That’s why we embark on this sensitization, going from one local government area to the other.
“You know that His Excellency, the workers’ friendly governor has a lot of packages for workers and this is one of the packages for us. I want to advise that you should try as much as possible to get yourself enrolled into the scheme. It will help you and a very minimal amount of money will be deducted from your salary.”
Recall that the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Insurance Scheme, EBSHIA, Prof Uzoma Agwu had appreciated the state governor for approving the enrollment of workers into the scheme without applying force.
“I thank God that our governor, the father of our state has approved for the enrollment of Ebonyi State workers into the health insurance scheme but with one condition, because most of the time, when new thing is started, people usually look one way or the other to cause commotion. That’s why we are here today, to ask if you want to enroll into Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme.
She said, EBSHIA has for the past three years, brought cards, created website and everything needed to serve the workers better, adding that the government will deduct a very minimal amount of money from the salary of any enrollee.
“In order for you to enjoy the insurance, government will now take something small from you, that’s 1.7 per cent of your salary as an enrolee. It means if you are earning something like 10,000 Naira, you are going to be contributing something like 170 Naira.
Agwu enumerated some benefits to be expected by any enrollee, which in her words, included “outpatient consultation, hospital admissions, maternal and child care, immunizations, antenatal care, delivery by skilled health workers, diabetes and hypertension management, surgeries like Cesarean Section, appendicetomy hysterectomy, incision and drainage, hydrocelectomy, prostrate surgery, cancer screening and treatment of pre-cancer lessions, dental care, eye care, pre-cancer screening, HIV and TB testing + referral, diverse lab investigation and many more.”
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Some of the labour leaders who spoke during event including Comrade Tony Nwizi – the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Leonard Ukah – the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, among others emphasized on the importance of the health insurance scheme for workers, adding that it would help the civil servants to have health freedom and services especially those earning small salary.
Our correspondent who monitored the event, reports that the representative of the state governor, the EBSHIA team and the leaders of the various labour unions with the affiliated bodies later sensitized workers of Ebonyi and Izzi Local Government Areas after the flag off ceremony at Onueke, the Ezza South Council Headquarters and recorded large turnout of workers, who applauded the new development in the state.
