Posted by Chinenye on Wed 29th Jul, 2026 - tori.ng
The Anambra State Government and key stakeholders have agreed on a fresh strategy to boost health insurance enrollment for women and vulnerable residents after identifying a major obstacle affecting access.
(Anambra State Health Insuranc. Photo Credit: Punch News)
In order to increase the number of women of childbearing age and other vulnerable groups enrolled in the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) scheme.
The Anambra State Government and important stakeholders have agreed on a coordinated plan that will strengthen community mobilization and remove obstacles caused by the mandatory National Identification Number requirement.
The promise was made during a roundtable discussion held in Nnewi as part of the International Budget Partnership-sponsored Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge (SPARK 2) project.
The forum brought together representatives of government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community groups to proffer practical solutions towards improving access to health insurance.
Those in attendance included officials of the National Identity Management Commission, National Health Insurance Authority, National Orientation Agency, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Anambra State Town Unions Council, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, and Community Development Network.
During the engagement, stakeholders resolved to key into the ongoing ward-to-ward NIN registration exercise to mobilise women of reproductive age and other vulnerable residents for both NIN registration and enrolment into the state's health insurance scheme.
The Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Health, Dr Obiageli Uchebo, identified the mandatory NIN requirement as one of the major hindrances preventing indigent residents from accessing healthcare under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
She noted that beneficiaries are required to possess a NIN before they can be enrolled through ASHIA, even though many vulnerable people, including children, the elderly and indigent residents, do not have one.
She added that the roundtable offered government institutions and community leaders the opportunity to jointly develop practical solutions capable of expanding healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
The Director of Justice Development and Peace Caritas, Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo, called on participants to be forthright in identifying challenges and proposing workable recommendations that would enhance maternal and child healthcare through broader insurance coverage.
Executive Director of the Civil Rights Council, Okey Onyeka, described the meeting as an avenue to collectively address barriers affecting pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, commended the level of commitment shown by the participating agencies and community leaders, expressing hope that stronger collaboration would go a long way in boosting health insurance enrolment among women of child-bearing age.
While introducing the SPARK 2 project, Programme Officer of JDPC Nnewi, Onyekachi Ololo, explained that the initiative is aimed at strengthening accountability and improving primary healthcare delivery across six local government areas in Anambra State.
He disclosed that findings from community engagements had shown the NIN requirement to be one of the major obstacles to health insurance enrolment, which necessitated the stakeholders' dialogue.
He added that the project was also collaborating with government and community actors to strengthen referrals from traditional birth attendants, build the capacity of Ward Development Committees, and sustain community advocacy through regular town hall meetings.
Representing the acting Executive Secretary of ASPHCDA, Dr Ngozi Okeke urged Ward Development Committee chairmen to step up sensitisation efforts in their communities, particularly among women of child-bearing age, stressing that the benefits of health insurance were enormous.
At the end of the engagement, stakeholders agreed to deepen collaboration, strengthen community mobilisation and awareness campaigns, maximise the ongoing ward-to-ward NIN registration exercise, and encourage well-to-do members of the community to assist indigent residents in obtaining the documentation required for enrolment.