By Joe Chukindi
The Anambra State Government said it has delisted two hospitals, who were reported for extorting enrollees of the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).
Managing Director of ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, who spoke to journalists said the agency was not owing any hospital under the scheme, and wondered why any should extort money from patients under the scheme.
He said: “We have sanctioned two hospitals this year for demanding extra money from ASHIA patients for services covered by the health insurance scheme.
“The government has never defaulted in the payment of capitation to hospitals rendering services to ASHIA enrollees.
“We are worried that in spite of all the sensitisation efforts on both social and traditional media, people are still being exploited by some hospitals under the scheme.”
ASHIA was established by the Anambra State government, under Governor Willie Obiano, to help citizens of the state with health issues access care.
The scheme was originally established for staff of the Anambra State government, but was later made open to private individuals.
The scheme became the cynosure of all eyes, with many state governments, coming from their various states to understudy its success, with the hope of replicating it in their states.
Onyemaechi who has been the managing director from inception said the agency has persistently advised enrollees of the health insurance scheme to always report cases of exploitation through the phone numbers on the cards.
“We will not hesitate to delist health facilities involved in the exploitation and maltreatment of beneficiaries of the State Health Insurance Scheme. We have delisted two hospitals this year for demanding extra charges for treatment of ailments covered by ASHIA,” he stated.
