L-R: Drs Inyang Asibong & Betta Edu
Efio-Ita Nyok|14 September 2016
On the 6th of September, the Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu penciled an article titled: “AYADE CARE”; YES HE CARES!!!!
The Cross River Health Sector: Braving The Weather, A Peak Into The Future', in the which she delineated the state health insurance policy recently passed into law by the 8th Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA).
According to Dr Betta Edu, 'The scheme will see all Cross Riverians subscribe with a minimal fee of 1,000 Naira per month, that is 12,000 per annum, yet will have access to quality Medicare. The state plans to really turn the state into a medical tourism haven of which discussions are ongoing with investors and partners across the globe…If every Cross Riverian within and outside CRS put in 1000, every politician empower their ward members by paying for their health bills, 1000 per month, if we all work at this, success will be achieved. It is beyond the government, it's beyond party, it is for our people by our people!'.
This delineation on the state health insurance scheme by DG Edu elicited a handful of reactions notable among which is that of Mr Princewill Odidi, an Atlanta-based social commentator who asked 12 pertinent questions. Odidi who noted that he is still reviewing the health plan posited that he 'Would like to see a threshold sustainability plan for at least next 5 years'. This position by Odidi was contained in a social media reaction on his social media account titled: 'On the Health Insurance Plan: my take'. What follows are the twelve set of questions Mr Odidi sought clarification on. I have thought it wise to reproduce them here to put the policy into context.
Excerpts:
1. Children under 18 years are they paying or are they covered under their parents?
2. Does the patient choose their own place of independent treatment or only state hospitals would participate?
3. Did the bill cover the billing system and does it capture measures to prevent fraud?
4. Apart from treatment, is medication covered also by this insurance?
5. Is it generic or brand?
6. What are the rights of patients?
7. In the event a patient needs to be transported to a medical facility outside the state or country, will the insurance cover same?
8. When a citizen fails to pay premium, at what point does the policy lapse? 30 60 or 90 days?
9. For civil servant who are owed salaries, if their policy lapse due to a fault not entirely theirs, who picks up the responsibility?
10. Will the insurance cover terminally ill patients?
11. Someone who decides to sign up for coverage the same day he is diagnosed for illness, will the insurance cover him or will there be a waiting period?
12. Universal health insurance especially for Africa would be well embraced by international development partners, but I hope we have on ground a sustainable structure to implement it?
Odidi finally noted that, 'If some of these questions can be answered it helps to build public confidence on the project. I will also attempt to attract some development partners to support the initiative. While we wait for response to these questions, I endorse the plan'.
DG Edu's reaction to Mr Odidi's twelve-thronged inquiry went this way in part: 'I will do an article responding to all the points raised. I dont have all the answers but will consult with the team'.
Cross Riverians are waiting for DG Betta Edu's reaction.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger & the Editor of NegroidHaven.org (Negroid Haven)