Monday July 20, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Akwa Ibom Health Insurance Scheme has recorded over 220,000 enrollees less than two years after it began operations to offer affordable healthcare to the people in the 31 Local Government Areas of the state.
Edikan Ekwerre, a medical doctor and chairman of the agency, made this known during the training and onboarding programme for newly accredited healthcare facilities held at the Agency’s Board Room.
The chairman, who attributed the rapid growth of the scheme to confidence of residents in the scheme, however, warned healthcare providers against fraudulent practices, stressing that the Agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
“We are not playing here. We have over 220,000 enrollees. Last year, we emerged as the fastest-growing State Social Health Insurance Scheme, and we are looking forward to retaining that recognition this year.
“We cannot achieve this without your partnership. Please cooperate with us. Prioritize our patients so they will know that the government truly means well, especially the vulnerable,” he said.
He advised newly accredited healthcare facilities under the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency to prioritise enrollees of the scheme, particularly vulnerable beneficiaries, in the delivery of quality healthcare services and thanked the healthcare providers for partnering with the Agency and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare through the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme.
The anchor of the training/Head of Standard quality assurance, Edikan Ackley, a medical doctor, reiterated the importance of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance scheme while noting that hospital utilisation in Akwa Ibom State had increased from 7 percent before the introduction of the scheme to the current 17 percent; a reflection of the agency’s significant role in improving access to quality healthcare services across the state.
BusinessDAY
