100 DAYS IN OFFICE: Over 4000 Pensioners, Captured Into Gov. Alex Otti’s Health Insurance Scheme – Commissioner

Over four thousand pensioners in Abia state, have been captured into governor Alex Otti‘s free Health Care Insurance Scheme.

This was disclosed by the Honourable Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo while speaking on Friday, on the achievements of governor Alex Otti within his 100 days in office.

The Health Insurance Scheme For Pensioners, was conceived and approved by Gov. Alex Otti, having considered the sufferings of the pensioners and the high cost of accessing medical care, the Commissioner revealed.

She noted that her team went round the 17 Local Government Areas in the state, and as at Thursday, September 7, over 4000 pensioners have being captured as they need to have cards with their passports on them and their datas are being uploaded into the database of the scheme.

“We went to the 17 LGAs to capture them because they need to have cards with their passports. We are done with that and we are uploading and getting them ready and that is why we are also fixing the hospitals so that they will have where to go to even though the health centres at the ward level are okay and active and they can access them. But if they need to run higher tests or medical attention, they’ll have where else to go.

According to the Commissioner, all treatment under the scheme would be free of charge and in severe cases of cancer or surgery, the ministry of health will seek for a consolidated fund from the state government to support without tasking the ailing pensioner.

On the procedures to get medical attention under the scheme, Okoronkwo explained that a beneficiary will go to the health centres, If the case cannot be handled there, it would be referred to any government hospital affiliated with the scheme.

Speaking further on the governor’s achievement in the health sector, she stated that as promised, three general hospitals in the three senatorial zones are being renovated with two already set for commissioning.

According to the Commissioner,  the Abia specialist hospital, formerly known as MeCure and the specialist/diagnostic centre, have been fixed and are ready for inauguration , however work is still ongoing at the Amachara specialist hospital.

The hospitals have 24 hours power supply, all test can be run therein with the most recent and best equipment except DNA test which is not available at the moment, she added.

Okoronkwo also revealed that the cottage hospital at Abayi, is currently being rebuilt and will be ready in a couple of weeks.

Asked about the the general hospital at Umunneato, she explained that work was put on hold owing to insecurity but work will resume soon.

‘We are not painting and cleaning out; we are basically rebuilding the hospitals to make sure that it suits taste” the commissioner added.

She said the governor has also directed the continuation of free medical services till December 2023, adding that 7 extra hospitals in; Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Okpuala Ngwa, Abiriba, Ukwa and Aba general hospital would be added to augment other hospitals already in use.

Okoronkwo assured that the governor wants the best for Abians adding that health workers are being redistributed in all the LGAs for equality and to know if there is need to employ more people.

“We are in a hurry and we want the best for the people. we want them to have the best medical attention” Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo stated.

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