ASHIA validates second quarter Global Fund data, seeks wider health insurance coverage
By Chibuzor Okoye|Ichie Times
The Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, has held its second quarter data validation meeting with Global Fund programme managers, monitoring and evaluation officers, implementing partners and other stakeholders to strengthen the accuracy of health insurance programme data in the state.
The meeting focused on reviewing and reconciling data on Global Fund supported health insurance activities implemented in Anambra during the quarter.
Addressing participants, the Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr Augustine Ezeka, appreciated the stakeholders for their contributions and urged them to intensify efforts towards expanding health insurance coverage for people living with HIV and tuberculosis.
Dr Ezeka stressed the need to ensure that eligible beneficiaries were not left out of health insurance coverage and access to necessary healthcare services.
The Global Fund Focal Person, Ogochukwu Mbonu, presented the action plan for the second quarter validation exercise.
She said the meeting provided an opportunity to review findings, clarify observations and ensure that reported data accurately reflected programme activities across the state.
Mbonu noted that enrolment had increased significantly, attributing the development largely to the field National Identification Number, NIN, enrolment exercise conducted to facilitate registration of eligible beneficiaries.
She urged stakeholders to take greater responsibility for awareness creation and intensify sensitisation efforts to further improve enrolment and access to the programme.
The Global Fund Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Miss Assumpta Ejikeme, presented an overview of the implementation of Global Fund supported health insurance for people living with HIV and tuberculosis under ASHIA.
The meeting was attended by representatives of Global Fund accredited health facilities, implementing partners, programme managers, monitoring and evaluation officers and other relevant stakeholders.
