In an effort to ensure unhindered access to healthcare services for people living with HIV in Imo State, Caritas Nigeria has paid the health insurance premium for about 600 residents of Imo State living with HIV.
This was made known today, July 17, 2024, during a courtesy call made to the Executive Secretary/CEO of Imo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, from a High-Powered Delegation led by Susan Amusan-Ikpa, the Senior . Technical Specialist, CRS, and State Team Lead for Access Project.
While interfacing with the technical team, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike described HIV like every other common morbidity and therefore ensured there would be no discrimination in accessing healthcare services for people living with HIV enrolled in the program.
He disclosed that over 1000 poor and vulnerable Imo residents living with HIV are benefiting from the implementation of the BHCPF in Imo State based on utilization data available to the agency.
“We have deployed a very holistic system approach towards ensuring access to healthcare services for all Imolites, which has taken into consideration the health care needs of different population demographics and morbidity patterns.” He noted.
The Health Financing Expert, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, assured the Caritas Team of the agency’s commitment to ensuring they get value from the program’s implementation, given the agency’s track record on implementation.
In separate remarks made by the members of the Technical Team, they disclosed that Caritas Nigeria has achieved 96% viral suppression and consequently low indices of opportunistic infections.
While thanking the Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency for ensuring an enabling platform for collaboration and partnership, the team pledged to enroll more people living with HIV in Imo State in the coming batches of enrollments, which will be made known by Caritas Nigeria.
