On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA), Dr. Igbemi Arthur Igbemi described the national honours bestowed on Governor Umo Eno and the agency as a clear validation of the state’s commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare through health insurance.
Dr. Igbemi said Governor Eno’s recognition as the Outstanding Contribution to Health Insurance Development in Nigeria and AKSHIA’s emergence as the Fastest Growing Agency in Healthcare Coverage were well deserved, considering the administration’s deliberate investments in the health sector.
According to him, health insurance plays a vital role in reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses by providing financial protection for all residents of Akwa Ibom State.
“Health insurance helps to finance healthcare for the people and significantly reduces out-of-pocket spending. It provides financial protection for every resident of Akwa Ibom State, irrespective of status, as long as they live and work in the state,” he said.
Dr. Igbemi noted that the agency, which was inaugurated on September 20, 2024, by Governor Umo Eno, was established to ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
He described the governor as a visionary leader who recognized the importance of decentralising health insurance in line with national policy and took decisive steps to establish the agency through legislation passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The AKSHIA boss recalled that Akwa Ibom was the last state in Nigeria to establish a health insurance agency, a development that initially attracted criticism from stakeholders who doubted the state’s readiness to embrace the scheme.
However, he said the governor’s commitment has transformed the narrative, making the state one of the fastest-growing health insurance schemes in the country.
“I am not surprised by this national recognition. Beyond health insurance, Governor Eno has made remarkable contributions to the health sector. His policies have improved the welfare of healthcare workers, increased salaries and incentives, and encouraged doctors, nurses and other professionals to remain in the state, especially in rural communities,” he said.
Dr. Igbemi added that the governor’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, including the ongoing construction of an international hospital, demonstrate a long-term strategy to strengthen healthcare delivery.
He explained that the expansion of health insurance would ensure that residents can fully benefit from such facilities without the burden of prohibitive medical costs.
Dr. Igbemi
The Executive Secretary also recalled that AKSHIA received national recognition last year for excellence in universal healthcare coverage and was acknowledged as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing health insurance agencies.
According to him, rather than celebrating the award, Governor Eno challenged the agency to sustain the momentum and work even harder.
“When His Excellency received the report of the award, his message to us was simple: don’t relax. He urged us to work harder so that we would not lose our position. This latest recognition shows that we have remained consistent in delivering on our mandate,” he said.
Dr. Igbemi said the latest award from the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care of Nigeria further reinforces public confidence in the scheme.
He expressed optimism that the recognition would encourage more residents to enrol while also motivating Akwa Ibom indigenes living outside the state to pay health insurance premiums on behalf of their relatives.
“Health insurance is built on trust. When people see that independent national bodies are recognising what we are doing, it strengthens their confidence in the scheme. It will also create more awareness and encourage greater participation, which is critical to achieving universal health coverage,” he said.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage across the state in line with Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, assuring residents that AKSHIA would continue to improve access to affordable, quality healthcare for all.
