From Ifeoma Ejiofor
Health stakeholders in Anambra State have adopted a community-driven strategy aimed at increasing health insurance enrolment among women of child-bearing age by leveraging the ongoing ward-to-ward National Identification Number (NIN) registration exercise.
The strategy emerged at a multi-stakeholder roundtable organised under the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project.
The strategy supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) where government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community groups agreed that stronger collaboration was needed to improve access to healthcare for women and other vulnerable residents.
The meeting resolved that community structures, including Ward Development Committees, town unions, women’s groups and local government officials, would work together to mobilise residents for NIN registration and subsequent enrolment into the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).
The stakeholders agreed that removing information gaps and bringing enrolment closer to communities would significantly improve access to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), particularly for pregnant women, children and indigent residents.
Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, identified the mandatory NIN requirement as one of the major obstacles limiting enrolment into the health insurance scheme.
She explained that although a NIN is required before beneficiaries can access healthcare under the BHCPF through ASHIA, many indigent residents, children and elderly persons are yet to obtain one.
Director of Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo, said the engagement was convened to generate practical recommendations that would improve maternal and child healthcare through wider health insurance coverage.
Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), Ugochi Ehiahuruike, commended the willingness of participating institutions to work together, expressing confidence that the partnership would translate into improved enrolment of women of reproductive age.
“It is reassuring that all of you are here. We are taking this route for the first time. NIMC has done enough to help ASHIA for enrolment. We commend the cooperation of NHIA and the efforts of ASHIA.” She said
Introducing the SPARK 2 project, JDPC Programme Officer, Onyekachi Ololo, said community findings showed that the NIN requirement had become one of the biggest barriers to health insurance enrolment, making the roundtable necessary.
He explained that the project is working to improve maternal healthcare by expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening accountability in primary healthcare financing, improving referrals from traditional birth attendants and building the capacity of Ward Development Committees and health facility managers.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ngozi Okeke and other stakeholders were represented at at the strategic meeting.
