Nnewi North Local Government Area in Anambra State has officially launched a health insurance scheme aimed at providing medical coverage for indigent residents. The scheme, which was unveiled at the Council Secretariat in Nnewi, is set to enroll 1,200 beneficiaries.
The flag-off event was attended by local stakeholders, prominent Ndi Nnewi figures, and officials from the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA). Speaking at the occasion, the Transition Committee Chairman of Nnewi North, Engineer Chris Obiorah, thanked Governor Chukwuma Soludo for sustaining ASHIA. He emphasized that the initiative seeks to ease the financial burden of healthcare for vulnerable members of the community.
Engineer Obiorah also acknowledged the generosity of prominent Ndi Nnewi sponsors, including Chiefs Innocent Chukwuma, Cletus Ibeto, Chika Okafor, Louis Onwugbenu, Innocent Okoli, Ifeanyi Ekwulugo, and Peter Nwosu. He offered prayers for their continued success and benevolence.
ASHIA Managing Director, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, delivered a health education session to attendees, stressing the importance of health insurance as a pathway to achieving universal healthcare coverage. He applauded Governor Soludo’s commitment to improving social services, particularly in the health sector, and outlined the benefits of the insurance scheme. Dr. Onyemaechi also highlighted the affordability of ASHIA’s yearly premium, which has remained N12,000 since 2018, despite inflationary pressures. He encouraged other communities to follow Nnewi’s lead in supporting healthcare for all.
Earlier, during a courtesy visit to Chief Innocent Chukwuma of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, Engineer Obiorah and the ASHIA team received assurances from the business mogul that he would continue to support the program. Chief Chukwuma pledged to ensure the enrollment of all his factory employees in the scheme, in addition to the 500 beneficiaries he has already sponsored in Nnewi.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event, including the President General of Nnewi, Dr. Mmaduka Atuenyi, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the September 28 Anambra Local Government election, Mr. Echezona Anazodo, also expressed support for the scheme. They urged Ndi Nnewi to vote for APGA in the upcoming election as a show of solidarity with Governor Soludo’s administration.
