By Chisom Okafor
The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) on June 17 held an interactive meeting with accredited mission hospitals at its headquarters in Awka, aimed at strengthening collaboration, improving service delivery, addressing concerns affecting healthcare providers under the state health insurance scheme.
Speaking during the engagement, the Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr. Augustine Ezeka, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that enrollees receive quality healthcare services with dignity and without discrimination, expressing concern over reported cases of inflated and questionable billing practices, warning that such actions undermine the integrity and sustainability of the health insurance system.
Dr. Ezeka explained that the meeting was convened to deepen mutual understanding between ASHIA and healthcare providers while fostering stronger partnerships in the delivery of affordable and accessible healthcare to residents of Anambra State.
He assured the mission hospitals that accredited facilities would not be delisted as long as they comply with established operational guidelines. According to him, healthcare providers previously removed from the scheme may also be reconsidered for re-admission upon meeting the required standards.
Responding on behalf of Catholic Mission Hospitals, the Vice President of the Forum of Catholic CEOs of Mission Hospitals, Sis. Maria Okafor, highlighted several challenges facing providers under the scheme, noting that some hospital administrators are reluctant to voice their concerns due to fears of possible sanctions or delisting.
Sister Okafor raised issues surrounding the fee-for-service payment model, communication gaps between providers and the agency, as well as concerns over capitation payments, explaining that some facilities have come under financial pressure while caring for enrollees enrolled in the scheme.
Also contributing, Fr. Tochukwu Ayamadu of Immaculate Heart Hospital, Aguleri, called attention to inconsistencies in capitation payments, delaying in fee-for-service reimbursements, urging the agency to address the challenges to enhance service delivery.
In his response, Dr. Ezeka described mission hospitals as critical partners in the state’s healthcare system, commending their contributions to healthcare delivery, urging providers to continue treating enrollees with professionalism and respect while adhering strictly to operational guidelines.
The ASHIA boss assured participants that all concerns raised during the meeting would be carefully reviewed and addressed in the interest of strengthening the scheme, improving healthcare outcomes across the state.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both ASHIA and the mission hospitals to work together in advancing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for the people of Anambra State.
Chisom Okafor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
