By Chukwudi Nwauba :
Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike has hailed the State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) for upgrading Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital (GH) Laboratory with modern equipment worth millions of naira.
Dr. Obidike made the commendation while commissioning the Laboratory equipped with modern equipment at Enugwu-Ukwu GH, Njikoka Local Government Area.
“The items donated by ASHIA were Automated Chemistry Analyzer designed to measure different chemicals in a number of biological samples quickly, with zero or minimal human interference.
“Automated Three Part Haematology Analyzer for rapid analysis of blood specimen, Electrophoresis Machine for genotype test as well as a seven point five KVA solar power system.
“This is actually the agenda of our Governor that we use modern equipment in treating our people; sincerely it is a wonderful thing because we still need a good number of people to use ASHIA.
“When more people enroll into ASHIA it will help us to get resources to finance the health services and in Nigeria now insurance is currently mandatory.
“Insurance helps one to take good care of his or her health and its not when one is sick the person will start looking for money so as to access care.’’
He assured Ndi Anambra that the State Health team will continue to work together to ensure functionality of Healthcare Centres across the state.
The commissioner said that what the agency has done is in line with the agenda of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s mandate of ensuring that the state has modern equipment in terms of medical service delivery.
According to him, Health Insurance is vital in achieving Universal Health Coverage while commending the ASHIA boss, Dr. Onyemaechi for a job well done.
The Managing Director ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi explained that the agency used the innovative financing model to do the third phase of the intervention.
“We also installed the solar power system to protect the equipment from power surge with the purpose of serving ASHIA enrollees and the general public better.
“We are calling the public to help us since the state has provided ASHIA as a healthcare financing mechanism that will sustain the process in the health sector.
“The more people embrace ASHIA, the more resources we will have to deploy in improving services for our people.
“If we continue to depend on the state to do it all then we will not get to the international level that are desirous for all of us.’’
The Chief Medical Officer Enugwu-Ukwu General Hospital, Dr. Frank Ifeaneme thanked them while ASHIA that they will make judicious use of the equipment.
