BAF ENROLLMENT OF 500 LESS PRIVILEGED C’RIVERIANS INTO AYADECARE: SETTING EXEMPLARY STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE SECTOR

 

By Kingsley Agim

The Ben Akak Foundation has continued to set exemplary standards for the private sector in Cross River as the foremost non-profit/non-governmental organization to support the State Government’s Health Insurance Scheme otherwise known as AYADECARE.

Speaking at the flag-off of the statewide enrollment exercise held at the Obudu Local Government Council Secretariat, Obudu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Ben Akak Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak, described AYADECARE as laudable project that is capable of ensuring Cross Riverians have access to quality and affordable Healthcare.

“Health is wealth. And we all know that government cannot do everything on its own, thus our resolve to support government succeed especially in the area of Healthcare delivery.

“We at the BEN AKAK foundation have decided to support the scheme by enrolling 5000 Cross Riverians in this first phase. We have made available the sum of N500, 000 for the enrollment of 500 Cross Riverians into the scheme.

We are using this medium to call on well meaning Cross Riverians to join hands with government and support this scheme by enrolling more Cross Riverians,” the philanthropist remarked.

In his remarks, the Director-General, Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Sir Godwin Iyala, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. David Ushie, on behalf of the State Government, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the humanitarian and laudable gesture, describing it as ‘pure act of goodwill.’

The Health Insurance boss, who described the initiative as the best thing to happen to the ordinary citizen of the State, also took out time to explain the workings of the insurance scheme and its robust benefit packages to the adulation of the teeming crowd.

Sir Iyala assured the Ben Akak Foundation team of judicious use of the resources to the betterment of the beneficiaries and the State at large, while calling on other well meaning individuals and organizations to also support government’s efforts in delivering democratic dividends to the citizens.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Vice Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area, Hon. Mary Ogbe thanked the Foundation for her choice of Obudu for the flag-off exercise, as well as investing in the lives of the needy in the society.

Hon. Ogbe hoped that such gesture will go a long way in extending the longevity of the aged and less privileged brothers and sisters and save their families from negative out-of-pocket expenditures.

In a vote of thanks, Mrs. Beatrice Akamade, on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the Foundation for bringing respite to the aged and less privileged of the society and prayed for God’s surplus and more grace to continue affecting humanity.

Philomena Agiakpo, Victor Ogar, Elizabeth Akpeke, Regina Agim, Ferdinand Okpekup, Martina Aklah, Cletus Akpushu, Victoria Attah, Felicia Ayo, Akwagiobe Ugbe, Monica Ushibima, etc, caps a 27-man list of beneficiaries.

The well-attended event received goodwill messages from representatives of the traditional institution, Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), as well as other dignitaries.