Abia State Health Insurance Agency (ABSHIA) has organised orientation seminars for Officers-in-Charge (OICs) from healthcare facilities across all 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State, participating in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund Scheme (BHCPF) and the Students Vulnerable Group Social Health Insurance Program (SVG-SHIP).
This is In anticipation of the forthcoming enrollment of students in public primary and secondary schools into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
Chidoziem Egwuonwu, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of ABSHIA, in his opening remarks, emphasised the critical importance of the National Identification Number (NIN), as a prerequisite for accessing free healthcare services at both federal and state levels.
Egwuonwu, who made stated this at the one-day orientation meeting, held separately for each of the three Senatorial Districts in the State in Umuahia, explained that the primary objective of the meeting was to train the OICs on the processes and procedures involved in managing ABSHIA projects effectively.
He expressed concern that, out of the 68,760 Abians currently enrolled in the ABSHIA basic care provision programme, only 22,269 possess a NIN.
He urged all Abians, including their children, to register for and obtain their NIN, highlighting that it is essential for accessing any government initiative.
He also announced that Governor Alex Otti had approved and released funds for the expansion of the Students Vulnerable Group Health Insurance Programme for school children, following the successful pilot phase conducted last year in select schools.
The State Health Insurance boss revealed that extensive registration will commence in all public primary and secondary schools across the State, starting on the February 3, 2026, enabling Abia children in public schools to access free medical services from nearby primary health facilities.
Ijeoma Uruakpa, Head of Programme at ABSHIA, reiterated the Agency’s vision to become a world-class organisation delivering affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare to all Abians, and called for collaborative efforts from healthcare providers.
Ogechi Ebisike-Amaechi, head of Standard Quality Assurance, addressed the topics of referrals, claims submission, reimbursement, and timelines and urged OICs to promptly refer emergency cases or conditions beyond their scope of care to ensure timely intervention and prevent loss of life.
Ikechukwu Jesse, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), underscored the significance of accurate data reporting and monitoring in the effective implementation of health care programs.
Fechi Ujah, the OIC Igbere PHC Bende LGA, expressed gratitude to the State Government and ABSHIA for initiating the programme for public primary and secondary school children, describing it as the first of its kind and promised on behalf of other OICs to ensure that the programme succeeds.
