Abia State Government has approved the formal rollout of Abia State Insurance Scheme for civil servants in the State.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu on Thursday in Umuahia.
Addressing the press after this week’s State Executive Council, SEC, meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti, Kanu stating that the insurance scheme would enable the civil servants enjoy medical services from service providers.
He also informed that the Government has provided 500 hundred Million Naira counterpart funding for the scheme.
According to Commissioner, all the civil servants are supposed to enroll in the scheme.
He added that Otti has decided to provide 2.5 percent of the workers to encourage them to enroll in the scheme.
“By this development, all the State Civil Servants are supposed to enroll in the scheme. In his usual compassionate manner, His Excellency has agreed to provide a 2.5 percent contribution for the workers. Who need to enroll in the scheme for the first three months.
“Usually, they’re supposed to contribute 5 percent from their basic salary every month. But His Excellency has agreed to pay 2.5 percent of that instead of 5 percent to encourage them to enroll in this scheme.”
The Commissioner added that the State Government has approved comprehensive upgrade and remodeling of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH Aba.
He noted that the remodeling is in line with the Governor’s transformation agenda in the health sector.
Kanu further announced that the Abia State Specialist Hospital has regained its Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s accreditation status for the training of medical interns. He stated that the accreditation came with an increase in the training quota from 24 to 36 such personnel.
Kanu, therefore, described the accreditation as a major milestone in the health sector which the Ministry of Health is appreciative of.
The Commissioner also used the opportunity to announce that the 2024 Cancer Awareness creation for Abia State would be held within the week.
He disclosed that the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscila Otti would be the keynote speaker on the occasion. The theme for the event is “The Changing Face of The Enemy: Reducing The Rising Prevalence of Cancer in Abia State.”
Kanu noted that the programme would feature advocacy walk, lectures and free screening for cervical and breast cancer as well as HPV vaccination.
The Commissioner used the occasion to inform on the rehabilitation of the vandalized power installations at the old and new State Secretariat at Ogurube Layout.
He informed that the rehabilitation has been completed and would be commissioned next week by the Governor.
Kanu also noted that under the Light Up Abia Initiative of the Government, the installation of solar lights is ongoing in more than 28 locations across the three senatorial zones. He said that the idea is that by the yuletide almost every part of the State will enjoy solar light at night.
The Commissioner added that the road infrastructure agenda of the State government would receive a boost by the 25th of November. This is even as the Governor would flag off the construction of the Ntigha-Mbawsi-Umuala Road located at Isialangwa North LGA. He stated that State Ministry of Works has completed four new maintenance projects across the State through direct labour.
Fielding questions on the Health Insurance Scheme, the Commissioner for Health Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya, stated the government’s commitment to the scheme.
He said that having commenced the contribution, employees of Abia State Government would start accessing the services in 3 months.
The Commissioner said employees of government are entitled to 4 defendants in addition to their spouses. He added that modalities are being worked out to accommodate persons in the informal sector.
Ogbonnaya also announced that Governor Otti has approved funds for the upgrade of the Amachara General Hospital to a world-class hospital. He pointed out that the Government is using an integrated approach from primary to tertiary health care to make it accessible to citizens, especially the vulnerable group.
source: Nigerian Tribune
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