COOUTH MEDICAL STUDENTS VISIT ASHIA FOR PRACTICAL EXPOSURE

By Chisom Okafor

As part of their academic training in Community Medicine and Primary Healthcare, 500-level medical students from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) visited the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) to gain firsthand insight into the workings of a functional health insurance system.

The students were warmly received by ASHIA’s Managing Director, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, who led an interactive session on the role of health insurance in improving healthcare access and equity.

Dr. Onyemaechi explained that ASHIA was established to ensure that every resident of Anambra State, regardless of income, can access quality healthcare services. He emphasized the significance of health insurance as more than a funding mechanism.

“Health insurance is more than a system, it’s a promise of equity, access, and sustainability. What we do here at ASHIA is to break down the barriers that keep people from getting the care they need, when they need it.”

He also introduced the students to ASHIA’s digital end-to-end platform, which supports real-time service delivery, claims processing, and monitoring. According to him, building strong systems is just as important as clinical expertise.

“You are the future of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Understanding how to run systems that protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable, is key.”

Adding to the session, Dr. Ngozi Ifediora offered a brief overview of ASHIA’s provider network and policies, including the referral system, pre-authorizations, and the benefit packages available to enrollees.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the class representative, Ibenta Lilian expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the visit as “an eye-opener” that helped connect classroom knowledge with real-world healthcare administration.

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