Efforts to improve healthcare access in Enugu State have intensified as the government pushes for wider participation in its Universal Health Coverage scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Agency for UHC, Edith Okolo, disclosed this during a stakeholder meeting in Enugu, noting that while progress has been made, more work is needed to build public trust in health insurance.
She said many residents initially suspected the scheme to be fraudulent despite its ₦12,000 annual premium and wide coverage, but added that beneficiaries are now sharing positive experiences. Okolo explained that health insurance is mandatory under both federal and state laws, but the government is currently focusing on persuasion rather than enforcement.
“We are trying to appeal to people by showing them the benefits instead of enforcing it immediately, but our next stage will involve enforcement measures”, she said.
Okolo added that future measures could include requiring proof of health insurance for access to some government services, school enrollment, and business registration, with plans to introduce a health insurance certificate for businesses.
She said the basic package covers common illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, hypertension, diabetes, and others, as well as surgeries like appendectomy and caesarean section.
Okolo noted that the agency is prioritising enrollment of vulnerable groups including pregnant women, children under five, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and extremely poor residents, with a target of 45,000 beneficiaries under a free scheme.
For others, enrollment remains ₦12,000 yearly with flexible payment options, including instalments.
She added that the scheme works with public and private hospitals across the state and aims to ensure coverage in all local government areas.
