Benue Govt restates commitment to sustainable healthcare financing

Benue Govt restates commitment to sustainable healthcare financing

By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Benue State Government has restated its commitment to achieving Universal Health coverage through sustainable healthcare financing.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Edeh Ogwuche made the commitment at the weekend when the AIDS Prevention Initiative In Nigeria, APIN Public Health Initiatives donated over one hundred and fifty flex banners to the ministry to boost public awareness and enrolment into the Benue State Health Insurance Scheme.

The donation, which took place at the ministry’s headquarters in Makurdi, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen state ownership of healthcare programmes and ensure continuity of essential health services in the face of dwindling donor funding.

Receiving the items, the Commissioner described the intervention as timely and strategic, noting that the publicity materials would serve as an important communication tool in educating citizens on the benefits of health insurance and the range of services available at accredited health facilities.

Dr. Ogwuche commended APIN Public Health Initiatives for its consistent partnership and invaluable support to the health sector, saying that the government is deliberately shifting towards sustainable healthcare financing through expanded health insurance coverage.

The health commissioner explained that the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has made quality, affordable and accessible healthcare a cardinal pillar of its development agenda, and said expanding enrollment into the health insurance scheme is critical to realizing the governor’s vision of ensuring that every Benue citizen access healthcare services without suffering financial hardship.

According to Dr. Ogwuche, the era when healthcare depended almost entirely on donor support is gradually giving way to stronger state systems built on sustainability, local ownership and shared responsibility.

He assured that the ministry would ensure equitable distribution of the banners to designated health facilities across the state to stimulate public awareness and increase enrolment into the scheme.

Earlier, the APIN State Head of Office, Dr. Enebi Achimugwu, said the donation was informed by the need to create greater demand for health insurance services in facilities supported by APIN, especially at a time when development partners are transitioning from direct service delivery to strengthening government systems.

He observed that sustainable healthcare can only be achieved when citizens are empowered to enrol in health insurance, thereby reducing the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare spending.

Dr. Achimugwu further disclosed that APIN is encouraging persons receiving HIV treatment and other eligible beneficiaries to take advantage of the State Health Insurance Scheme by paying the affordable premium, enabling them to access comprehensive healthcare services while guaranteeing continuity of care.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Health Insurance Agency, Professor Kenneth Korver, represented by the Agency’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Mr. Sunday Odagba, expressed appreciation to APIN for its unwavering partnership and support toward strengthening the health insurance programme in the state.

He appealed for sustained collaboration in expanding enrolment, particularly among workers in the formal sector, describing health insurance as the surest pathway to sustainable healthcare financing and improved health outcomes for the people of Benue State.

The event underscored the growing collaboration between the Benue State Government and development partners in advancing the Universal Health Coverage agenda, while reinforcing Governor Alia’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered healthcare system that is less dependent on donor funding and capable of delivering quality healthcare services to every resident of the state.