By: Kenneth Anam
CRS Ministry Of Health.
The Cross River State Government has today flagged off the Access to care for the formal sector in the state health insurance scheme which is termed AYADECARE, in a bid to ensure every civil servant has access to quality health care as the state takes the giant strides towards actualizing the vision of Universal health Coverage.
The AYADECARE SCHEME which is one of the brainchild initiatives of Sen.Prof. Ben Ayade targeted at placing the state as a leading light amongst Nigerian states with prosperous and healthy citizens was flagged off by His Excellency Sen Prof Ben Ayade in 2021 and billed to serve all Cross Riverians including civil servants and her residents.
Flagging off the event, the number one civil servant in the state, The Cross River State Head Of Service Mr.Timothy O. Akwaji thanked His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade and The Leadership of Cross River State Ministry Of Health for working round the clock to ensure the commencement of the program which he said will be of immense importance and relief for workers and Cross Riverians. He stated his unrelenting commitment to partnering with the Organized Nigerian Labour Congress whose Chairman Comr. Ben Ukpekpi was also in attendance to ensure more workers across board are fully and duly enrolled into the scheme to boast the potency of its viability.
In her remarks, the indefatigable Honourable Commissioner For Health, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong who represented the governor and his wife at the event venerated their excellencies for their towering contributions and steadfastness towards ensuring this vision is berthed into full commencement.
She retorted that the efforts of the immediate past Commissioner Dr.Betta Edu is evidently ripping off as she worked assiduously and passionately to seeing the scheme come to fruition, Dr. Ekpenyong reiterated His Excellency Sen Prof Ben Ayade’s commitment to ensure every Cross Riverian have access to care through the health insurance scheme and he is excited to see that the work force of government will begin to benefit from the scheme, which is a promise kept by His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade and His dear wife Dr. Linda Ayade. She
charged Cross Riverians especially civil servants to take advantage and make ample use of the opportunity AYADECARE Provides and get enrolled so as to afford them access to quality, prompt and free health services across the state. She further appreciated Labour union and other Union for their buy in which has culminated to today’s success story.
Also Speaking at the event the DG AYADECARE Mr. Goddy Iyiala expressed profound gratitude to the governor Sen.Ben Ayade and his dear wife Dr.Linda Ayade for making this dream come true. He however listed the numerous merits of the Ayadecare scheme which includes curbing the menace of out of stock drugs supply in facilities, Eradication of risk of purchasing and consuming fake drugs, delayed access to health care services by vulnerable and less privileged cum a highly cost effective alternative and access .
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr David Ushie also appreciated the state Government and laid down all the technical requirements which the state is already implementing to help the scheme work.
AYADECARE is a Health Insurance Scheme geared towards providing quality health insurance services to enrollees at little or no cost as contained in the benefit package. Moreso the insurance scheme which provides services cover at primary,secondary and tertiary levels for the young,old,sick,weak,less privileged and vulnerable persons will cater for their medical needs granting them access to full medical diagnosis,transplants,Surgeries amongst others with thousands of state government workers already enrolled to the scheme at the secondary level.
Other dignitaries and representatives present at the event were the Permanent Secretary of CRSHIA Dr Comfort Ekanem, the state coordinator NHIA , Dr Effah, Dr. Felix Archibong of Nigerian Medical Association, Mrs.Josephine Bassey of Nursing Council, Dr. Kumar the MS General Hospital,Calabar as they all presented their goodwill messages,lauding the strides of the government whilst pledging their support to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.
Highlight of the event witnessed enrollment and registration of persons into the scheme and official presentation of list and cards of enrollees across the state by the Honourable Commissioner For Health.
