* For free health insurance to IGR-compliant drivers
* Ranks initiative as first in Nigeria
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, has applauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for offering free health insurance to IGR-compliant drivers in the State.
Onyemaechi was reacting to the latest government memo, which itemized modes of IGR collection and remittances for tricycle riders, shuttle and urban drivers.
The memo was made public by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Paul Nwosu.
“Moving forward, every compliant commercial bus driver will get a free Health Insurance cover that would enable the insured have access to basic health and emergency services in any Anambra State Hospital,” the memo read in part.
Commenting on the policy initiative, Onyemaechi said: “Free State health insurance from Anambra State by Mr. Governor, Prof. Soludo Charles Chukwuma to every Keke rider, bus and shuttle drivers in Anambra is a great initiative.
This is one of the best ways of integrating the people of the informal sector into the scheme’s pool, which further advances our march to achieving universal health coverage.
“This free Health Insurance policy of Mr. Governor for compliant Keke and bus drivers has ended the era of those our brothers languishing in hospitals for inability to pay their bills when they are involved in road crashes, as ASHIA will fully take care of such, going forward.
“Thank you Mr. Governor for this, which will make the would-be beneficiaries access quality health care from hospitals, and not going for mixing of drugs from unauthorised vendors,” he said.