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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
At least 1,500 vulnerable people have been offered health insurance in Cross River State by the Oden Ewa Foundation.
The beneficiaries were spread across the six local government areas of Cross River Central Senatorial district.
Each of the local government areas, comprising Yakurr, Abi, Obubra, Etung, Ikom and Boki, will have 250 beneficiaries.
Speaking during a formal presentation of N18 million cheque to the Cross River Health Insurance Agency, the founder of the foundation, Hon. Oden Ewa, described the gesture as an investment in the people.
Ewa, who is also the Cross River State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, said the initiative was consistent with the People First policies of Governor Bassey Otu.
The commissioner, who was represented by Dr. Ofem Usani, said: “I’m glad to witness this ground-breaking initiative to flag off the 1,500 premium health package.
“This initiative is a direct investment in the wellbeing of our people and also a testament to the governor’s unwavering commitment to the people’s welfare.
“The strategic partnership is also a call to ensure we build vibrant and dynamic communities that will help build the socio-economic system of the state.”
He also thanked the governor for producing a platform for public-private partnership in the health sector.
In his remarks, the director-general of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Godwin Iyala, said the intervention by the foundation was the adoption method, where one person purchases insurance cover for several people.
He announced that officials from the agency would go to the field to register the beneficiaries and issue them identification cards to enable them access free healthcare in primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities.
He also pledged to ensure that the health insurance scheme in the state achieves monumental success and becomes a reference point for other states.
Adewale Adebowale, group head, Government Banking, Sterling Bank Consortium, said the bank would continue to partner the health agency to enable it deliver on its mandate.
He stressed the impact of poor health on household finances and businesses, saying the insurance would take a huge financial burden off the enrollees.
