HEALTH INSURANCE: BEN AKAK FOUNDATION MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST TO ADOPT 500 C’RIVERIANS FOR ENROLLMENT INTO AYADECARE

 

By Kingsley Agim 

A humanitarian and nongovernmental organization, Ben Akak Foundation, has made history as the first private sector body to adopt 500 less privileged indigenes of the State for enrollment into the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme (AYADECARE).

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Engr. Ben Akak made this known, yesterday, during a notification visit to the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency in his office in Calabar.

Speaking to the CRSHIA Management team, Engr. Akak lauded Governor Ben Ayade for his initiative of entrenching health insurance in the State, noting that no meaningful development and prosperity is possible without a healthy citizenry.

The philanthropist said though his decision for the adoption is purely a humanitarian gesture, it also highlights the need for the private sector to support government in critical areas, especially in the provision of quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for the citizens of the State.

On the industrialization drive of the Ayade-led administration, the gubernatorial hopeful said “it takes a man with a private sector background to be able to do what Governor Ayade is doing for Cross River. I am thankful to God for blessing the the State with a clairvoyant leader. He has transformed the State from its hitherto civil service status to a private sector driven economy. What he is doing for the State would be appreciated much more in the years to come.”

“It will take a likeminded person with robust private sector reputation to succeed in consolidating the gain of this administration. God-willing, come 2023, Cross River will have a succession that will complement on the giant strides of this present administration,” Engr. Akak assured.

The successful businessman also showered encomium on the leadership of the State Health Insurance Agency for midwifing a well-conceptualized scheme for the good of people of the State. He concluded with an assurance of his Foundation’s readiness to partner in other strategic areas to better the lord of Cross Riverians.

In his response, the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Sir Godwin Iyala expressed gratitude to the Ben Akak Foundation for such generosity, hoping that such humanitarian gesture will raise the bar for other well meaning private sector organizations to lend support to quality healthcare services for the citizens of the State.

Taking the Foundation team on the nitty-gritty of health insurance, the Director-General informed that through the aid of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), his Agency developed a governance architecture that would cater to the peculiarity of health insurance in the State.

Sir Iyala used the opportunity to call on other well meaning to support the AYDECARE in order to truly entrench Universal Health Coverage for Cross River State.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Adoption Planning Committee, Rt. Hon. Majorie Asuquo revealed that the Statewide exercise will commence with an inauguration, tomorrow, 21 July in Obudu, with similar events to hold subsequently in the headquarters of various senatorial districts.

Engr. Ben Akak was accompanied on the visit by the Planning Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Majorie Asuquo, Secretary, Chief Matthias Ake, Vice Chairman of Calabar Mumicipality, Mr Agbor Usang, Mr. Austin Ibok and Arc. Eric Akpo.