40 Anambra Indigents Get Free Health Premium From Philantropist

Awka – 40 persons drawn from the 15 communities of Orumba South Council Area of Anambra State, were on Thursday gifted with premiums to enjoy free medical services under the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme (ASHIA).

The initiative which is sponsored by a non-governmental organization, Prince Onyendozi Foundation, will see the beneficiaries enjoy healthcare care services from their chosen health institutions for a period of one year.

The beneficiaries were mostly the poor and less privileged who ordinarily may not be able to access quality medicare, due to the cost.

Speaking during the registration and data capturing for the beneficiaries held at Orumba South Council Headquarters, Umunze, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Prince Nnanyerugo Ike, explained that the gesture was to help alleviate the sufferings of his people who dwell in the hinterlands.

“The idea behind sponsoring these people to benefit from the ASHIA health insurance programme is to ensure that they do not continue to patronize quacks and non-professionals because they do not have the resources. With this scheme, they can now get free medical services whenever they have health issues and I think this is the best gift I can give to my people,” he said.

Ike commended Anambra State Government for envisioning the ASHIA initiative which he observed, is what obtains in developed countries, promising that he will continue to subscribe for more people as his resources permit.

The philantropist revealed that he had set up the Prince Onyendozi Foundation, as a platform through which he wants to reach out to the people across various areas.

These include, Health interventions, Sports and Youths Development, Educational Support, Covid-19 Interventions among many others.

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi said the ASHIA initiative was the vision of the State Governor, Willie Obiano aimed at addressing the challenge of health financing in the state.

He explained that under the scheme, with a premium of #12,500, enrollees will enjoy free health services for a period of one year, with the counterpart funding already provided by the state government.

Onyemaechi who spoke on the Adoption Model of the Agency, explained that it avails hi-networth individuals the opportunity to buy health premiums for the less privileged around them once and for all, instead of having to cough out money every time they have health issues.

The Medical expert expressed appreciation to Prince Ike for buying into the initiative, calling on other well-meaning individuals in the area to emulate him.

“This is the kind of partnership that the state government is craving for. When our people are blessed by God, the purpose is to use the wealth and touch lives and that is what Prince Onyendozi Foundation is doing. By this singular effort, he has saved lives of those who ordinarily, would have died due to lack of money. This is truly worthy of emulation and we call on others of his ilk to borrow a leaf from him,” Onyemaechi said.

On his part, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South Council Area, Hon Cyprain Okereke extolled the Foundation for its numerous interventionist programmes within the local government.

He said the Council leadership is desirous of such partnerships that have direct impact on the lives of the people.

Some of the beneficiaries, Mrs Benice Okoli from Ezira Community and Cordelia Madubueze from Umuchukwu, thanked the Foundation for remembering them to avail them free medical support.

They prayed God to reward the philanthropist, Prince Ike with all his heart desires.

 

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