By Chisom Okafor
The Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Augustine Ezeka, has intensified efforts to expand health insurance coverage across the state by engaging market leaders on strategies to bring the scheme closer to traders and their families.
At a meeting held on June 18 at the office of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) in Onitsha, Dr. Ezeka said the engagement was designed to strengthen collaboration with market executives, making health insurance enrollment more accessible to the trading community.
He noted that many traders find it difficult to enroll in the scheme due to the demands of their businesses and limited time to visit registration centres. To address this challenge, he revealed that ASHIA plans to establish enrollment points in major markets across the state.
According to him, dedicated enrollment officers will be deployed to the markets to register traders and their dependents, ensuring easier access to affordable healthcare services.
Responding, the President General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, welcomed the initiative, pledging the association’s full support, commending the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for sustaining the health insurance programme, describing it as a life-saving intervention that has benefited many residents.
Chief Anuna praised Dr. Ezeka for his commitment to expanding access to the scheme, expressing confidence that the market based enrollment strategy would increase participation among traders.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Old and New Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, Mr. Stephen Onungene, lauded ASHIA’s efforts, saying he had personally witnessed the positive impact of the programme, urging the agency to include his market among the first beneficiaries of the proposed enrollment exercise.
Similarly, the Secretary of Abada Market, Mr. Okafor Roland, assured the agency of the cooperation of market leaders, pledging support for the sensitization campaign.
The meeting ended with participants agreeing to provide their market prayer and assembly schedules to enable ASHIA carry out awareness and enrollment activities effectively within the various markets.
Chisom Okafor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
