PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Cross River State Government on Tuesday flagged off the state’s Health Insurance Scheme in a bid to enhance adequate access to health care facilities in the state.
The official flag off was done by the wife of the governor, Linda Ayade who appreciated all efforts put in place to ensure the kick off the Health Insurance Scheme and encouraged citizens and residence of the state to queue into the scheme
“I thank all who have put their energy and sweat in this process to ensure it works. Ill health does not ring a bell before coming. As a normal human being, you can be healthy today and ill tomorrow,
“So that is why you need the health insurance in place. I hereby officially Flagged off this scheme today” she said.
Speaking during the flag off at Big Quo Primary Health Care facility in Calabar, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Beta Edu, said people should be encouraged to get registered and enjoy quality health care, from the state government.
“It has been a long journey, right from 2015 when we started working on he bill in the House of Assembly. Then to 2016 when it was formally passed as a law in Cross River State.
“Today finally, Cross Riverians can access health care in our health facilities, from the primary, secondary and up to the tertiary levels, you can access health care without paying a dime as long as you are registered.
“My call to Cross Riverians is to come out in your numbers and register, for the state Health Insurance Scheme. It is not a matter of delaying till when you fall sick and you will rush to the hospital and register. Register now, because after you have registered, you will have to wait for 90 days before you will access health care, so get registered,” she said.
Also speaking, The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Agency, Janet Ekpeyoung said: “Government alone cannot finance health, and health is one of the fundamental areas of our lives. And we don’t have enough funds to say government alone should sustain funding health care. And that’s why health insurance gives us that opportunity to strengthen our health system.
“If we must have universal health coverage, then we must have access to quality health care. That is exactly what Governor Ben Ayade is doing,” she said.
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