The Executive Secretary of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA), Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, has expressed deep fulfillment over the impact of the Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Health Insurance Program on the lives of ordinary families in Imo State.
According to Dr. Ewelike, the Imo State Health Insurance Program goes beyond policies and numbers, it is about lifting the heavy burden of healthcare costs off families who previously struggled to pay hospital bills. He noted that many households who managed to cover medical expenses were often pushed into poverty, affecting their quality of life.
Dr. Ewelike recalled that before the operationalization of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency by His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Hope Uzodimma, an alarming 92% of healthcare expenses in Imo State were paid out-of-pocket, according to a 2018 WHO study. This, he explained, was regressive and catastrophic, and contributed to the state’s high maternal mortality rates, since there was no central health financing system for the poor and vulnerable population.
Dr Ewelike stated that in the last two and half years, the Imo State Health Insurance Agency has introduced several health interventions for the various population groups and cohorts in the state ensuring pregnant women, children, State and Local government civil servants, pensioners, artisan groups, unions, market women, individuals and families in the informal sector have unhindered access to affordable healthcare services. As a result, many women are now delivering their babies safely in hospitals without the fear of huge medical bills, and families no longer need to sell property or borrow money to get treatment.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing our work help families in Imo State live free from the burden of healthcare costs and struggles,” Dr. Ewelike said.
He emphasized that this has always been the drive and goal of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency to improve the quality of lives of Ndi-Imo by reducing the cost of needed healthcare services while noting that it’s in line with the health financial risk protection agenda of the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr) Hope Uzodimma, to make quality healthcare accessible for every Imo resident regardless of their socioeconomic status.
Dr Ewelike further encouraged more residents to enroll in the ongoing Governor Uzodimma’s 2.7 million ImoCare enrollment drive, aimed at ensuring every family in Imo State have access to healthcare without financial worry.
