Akwa Ibom lawmakers pass health insurance agency and scheme bill

Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law establishing the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency and scheme.

Speaking after the bill was passed into law at yesterday’s plenary, the Speaker, Mr. Onofiok Luke said, the House was motivated into presenting the bill because of their believe that, citizens of the state, deserves access to good and affordable healthcare services.

This brings the total number of bills passed by the house in this legislative year to 15 out of a total of 40 bills presented.

“Indeed, we cannot guarantee sustainable development until we are able to holistically guarantee improved healthcare services through making available laws that will guarantee government’s insurance in the health sector. It is for this reason that this house thought it imperative to create a health insurance scheme and an agency to manage the scheme”, he said

The law, which was sponsored by the Speaker and 11 others is aimed at providing health insurance which guarantees the insured persons and their dependents to the benefits of prescribed good quality and cost effective health services as set out in the law.

The Speaker thanked the chairman of the House committee on health Mr. Monday Eyo and members for a job well done, adding that, he was also appreciative of the contributions of administrators and stakeholders within the state health industry as their contributions were central to the outcome of the law.

“I agree completely with the health committee that this law will ensure that health coverage reaches out to the poor and vulnerable groups. It will be critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other ailment which are currently plaguing the larger majority of low income earners in the state.