Owerri 04 April 2019 –  In Imo, indigenes are hopeful that the recently introduced State Health Insurance Scheme (ISHIS) will fast-track Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 

This year’s commemoration of World Health Day (7 April) with the theme, Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere, every time, shines a spotlight on the advantages UHC can bring to all people and in all places and why it is needed so much.

Located in South East Nigeria, Imo State has a population of 5.2 million predominantly young people of which over 5 million do not have access to health insurance or pre-paid essential healthcare.

Consequently, at least 60% of indigenes live in abject poverty albeit a high literacy rate of 87%, with over 90% not protected from financial hardship when they access healthcare. Malaria is the most common disease and HIV Prevalence stands at 1.8%, which is above the national average of 1.4%. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 576 per 100,000 live births while the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) stands at 96 per 1,000 live births.

“Imo State has a very high out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) which stands at 92% and a catastrophic expenditure rate of 68.8%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has helped us with the generation of baseline health financing data through the conduct of the first-ever State health account study and extensive household survey which were very instrumental to the launching of our Health Insurance Scheme,” says Dr Angela Uwakwem Commissioner for Health, Imo State. 

She further reveals, “WHO has also helped to develop the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (ISHIA) Annual workplan and supported training of the Agency Staff. WHO is currently supporting us to develop operational guidelines and benefit packages for the scheme as well as a health financing policy and strategy towards achieving UHC. “

Health Insurance- a pedestal for achieving UHC 
The ISHIS is anchored on a comprehensive program of primary healthcare revitalization and promises to bring health to the doorsteps of the people in the State especially those most in need. Recognizing the need to take appropriate steps towards implementation of these reforms for maximum impact and demonstrated expertise, Governor Rochas Okorocha requested the leadership of WHO in September 2018, to collaborate with Imo  in establishing the State Health Insurance Scheme. 

Pursuant to the mandate to support member states in accelerating achievement of UHC, WHO commenced immediate support to the State for generation of baseline health financing data through the State Health Account study and household survey which catalyzed the launching of the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme on 27 October 2018. 

The ISHIA, with support from the State leadership, is now engaged in strategic advocacy to various stakeholders in both the formal and informal sectors, including joint Labour Unions, Traders’ Associations, Organized Private Sector, Church leaders, traditional Rulers, and community influencers.  . 

“WHO will sustain ongoing technical support   to finalize ISHIA’s operational guidelines; use collected evidence to finalize the benefit package and conduct actuarial costing. In addition support for accreditation of health facilities for provision of quality health services and adoption of a result-based financing scheme to develop a provider payment mechanism that guarantees value for money,” says Dr Clement Peter, Officer in Charge, WHO Nigeria.