ASHIA SENSITIZES COOU STUDENTS ON TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMME (TISHIP)

By Chisom Okafor :

The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has conducted a sensitization session for students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam campus, on the benefits of the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).

Speaking at the event, ASHIA’s Managing Director, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, highlighted the agency’s earlier sensitization efforts at the Uli campus and praised the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha, for her proactive approach, noting that Prof. Omenugha engaged ASHIA to ensure that students from all campuses, including Awka, benefit from TISHIP, which provides access to quality healthcare both on and off campus.

Dr. Onyemaechi explained that students requiring specialized care beyond the university’s medical centers can be referred to ASHIA’s secondary healthcare facilities. He commended Prof. Omenugha for implementing the program without imposing additional costs on students.

The ASHIA boss assured the students that the program would improve their healthcare access and eliminate situations where medical fees included in tuition go unused. He revealed that ASHIA has already assessed equipment needs at the Uli and Igbariam medical centers and will supply the necessary items to enhance service delivery.

Currently, over 231,000 Anambra residents are enrolled in ASHIA’s scheme. Dr. Onyemaechi encouraged the students to familiarize themselves with their entitlements under the program, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to providing them with quality healthcare.

Mr. Josephat Ezehiri, the university’s Students’ Attorney General, expressed gratitude to ASHIA, noting that the program would alleviate the financial burden of healthcare on students and ensure they receive adequate medical attention.

This initiative further underscores ASHIA’s mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all Anambra residents, including students.

*Chisom is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.