By Ndife David, Awka.
The Managing Director of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, has called on wealthy individuals and philanthropists in the state to sponsor health insurance coverage for citizens as a meaningful Christmas gift.
Dr. Onyemaechi made the appeal during the agency’s budget defense and bilateral engagement with the Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health, chaired by Hon. Tony Muobike, who represents Aguata Constituency.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, he noted that with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s completion of most trunk A roads, the state is expected to witness heightened activities during the festive season, which often come with health risks.
He therefore advised residents to eat and drink in moderation and avoid unhealthy lifestyles, stressing that excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and cigarettes should be avoided.
The ASHIA Boss further urged Ndi Anambra to embrace healthy living, aligning with the clean, green, and healthy lifestyle initiative promoted by the wife of the Governor, as a way of safeguarding their wellbeing during and beyond the festivities.
Emphasizing the role of the affluent in expanding healthcare access, Dr. Onyemaechi highlighted ASHIA’s indigenous “Adoption Model,” which encourages philanthropists to sponsor health insurance for vulnerable persons instead of limiting festive charity to food items.
According to him, “Rather than just sharing rice, wrappers, or livestock, people should consider giving health insurance, because those on hospital beds place more value on access to care than on commodities.”
He explained that the cost of one bag of rice can register up to four persons under ASHIA’s premium package, enabling them to access affordable and quality healthcare.
Dr. Onyemaechi disclosed that Governor Soludo has subsidized the scheme by ₦14,000 per enrollee, adding that over 304,000 Ndi Anambra are already benefiting from the programme and called on philanthropists, families, and community leaders to support wider enrollment, noting that good health remains the greatest gift of all.
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