Coco-Bassey Esu|27 February 2017
Members of the technical working group for the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme known as Ayadecare yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; Treaty King, Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom and Defender of the Christian Faith Worldwide and his cabinet, in his palace where they presented a copy of the State Health Insurance Scheme law to the traditional heads.
Members of the team which was lead by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong took turns to highlight the benefits of the scheme and why it is important to get the support of the royal fathers.
In her remarks Dr Asibong thanked the Obong and his council for their warm reception and she also urged them to lend their voices to the actualization of the dream after hearing the enormous benefits of the scheme. In her words: 'I'd like to thank you for accepting my team and I, and I also would like to use this medium as a buy-in for the scheme on your part for you are our fathers and your various communities will respond to your voices.'
Upon receiving a copy of the law which was presented by Honourable Eteng Williams, Chairman, Cross River State House of Assembly committee on Finance and Appriopriation and also a member House Committee on Health, His Eminence expressed his satisfaction following the benefits of the scheme. He urged the team not to politicize it as it might lead to the sudden death of the scheme. He further applauded the team for their thoughtfulness in coming to the traditional heads. Be devoted, be dedicated and all of us will subscribe to the scheme.
"Whether we like it or not we have to key into this program the joy of this is that the state has decided to take the bull by the horn. I thank Gov Ayade for this decision. My problem is whatever the dream of the leader we politicize it; please let us not politicize this. You put up a bill, the house saw the need for it and sent it back for it to be signed and passed into law. I'm really happy for this."
The Obong also aired his support for the superhighway as he said it will help open up the state whilst downplaying all the detractors portraying the project as superfluous rather than a developmental strategy.
The Council raised questions surrounding the government's involvement in the scheme but the team through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of health, Dr Joseph Bassey, the Special Adviser to the governor on Insurance Mr Godwin Iyala, were able to address the issues around such concerns.
Also in attendance were, the Permanent Secretary, CRSMOH, The State Coordinatorof NPHCDA, the SA to the Governor on insurance, The State Program Manager USAID/HFG and Medical Professionals from the Diaspora.
Coco-Bassey Esu
Writes from Calabar
