By Chisom Okafor
The members of the House Committee on Health of the Anambra State House of Assembly on June 11, paid a familiarization visit to the Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Augustine Ezeka, at the Agency’s headquarters in Awka.
Speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Anthony Muobike, congratulated Dr. Ezeka on his appointment as the Executive Secretary of ASHIA and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the Agency to greater heights.
Hon. Muobike urged members of staff of the Agency to accord the Executive Secretary the necessary support and cooperation required to enable him succeed in his mandate. He further extended the committee’s hand of partnership to ASHIA and assured the Agency of the continued support of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The committee chairman noted that the lawmakers remain committed to strengthening the health sector through effective legislation and oversight. He assured the Executive Secretary that the committee is always available to address any legislative challenges facing the Agency whenever such issues are brought to its attention.
Responding, the Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr. Augustine Ezeka, appreciated the committee members for the visit and their goodwill towards the Agency. He described the visit as a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and expanding health insurance coverage in the state.
Dr. Ezeka said that one of his major goals is to increase health insurance enrollment in Anambra State to 45 percent before the end of his tenure. According to him, expanding enrollment will ensure that more residents have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
The Executive Secretary stated that the Agency intends to leverage its market-based enrollment initiative to achieve this target, noting that the response from traders and market stakeholders across the state has been encouraging and positive. He also highlighted some of the challenges facing the Agency, including inadequate office space, manpower shortages, and limited resources required to effectively drive its activities.
Dr. Ezeka expressed optimism that with the support of the state government, the House of Assembly, development partners, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders, ASHIA would continue to make significant progress towards achieving universal health coverage in Anambra State.
Other Members of the House Committee on Health who attended the visit include Hon. Anayo Okpalaeke, Hon. Patrick Obalim, Hon. Chukwuebuka Igwe, Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor, Hon. Ikenna Ofodeme, and Hon. Augustine Ike.
The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration towards improving healthcare access and advancing the objectives of health insurance coverage across Anambra State.
Chisom Okafor is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
