Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) has urged residents of Awba-Ofemili and other rural communities to embrace health insurance as a means of improving access to healthcare and reducing the financial burden of medical treatment.
The call was made during the Awba-Ofemili Health Awareness Campaign 2026, organised by the Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) Health Committee at the Civic Centre, Awba-Ofemili, under the theme “Beyond Elu-Ulee (Buruli Ulcer): Building a Healthier Awba-Ofemili.”
Representing ASHIA at the programme, the Head of Department, Nurse Tochi Agugbue, sensitised participants on the importance of health insurance and encouraged residents to enrol rather than wait until illness occurs before seeking financial protection.
Agugbue highlighted the benefits of health insurance, including easier access to healthcare, reduced out-of-pocket expenditure, access to accredited healthcare providers, preventive healthcare services and financial protection against unexpected medical expenses, depending on the applicable benefit package.
She particularly encouraged rural residents, families, informal-sector workers and vulnerable members of the community to explore available ASHIA enrolment options and understand the healthcare benefits available to them.
The ADU Health Committee, led by Ogbuefi (Sir) Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke, noted that health insurance awareness was particularly important in rural communities, where financial constraints can sometimes delay access to medical care.
The Committee said the ASHIA intervention complemented its broader objective of moving “Beyond Elu-Ulee” by expanding community health conversations to include preventive healthcare, early detection, health financing and healthy living.
The Committee also encouraged residents to make appropriate use of the Primary Health Centre, Awba-Ofemili, seek medical attention early and consider health insurance as part of household health planning.
The ADU Health Committee expressed appreciation to ASHIA for participating in the 2026 campaign and contributing to efforts to deepen community understanding of health insurance and access to healthcare.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with government health agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners and community stakeholders to promote sustainable healthcare awareness and improved access to health services in Awba-Ofemili.
