4,000 retirees join Enugu free health insurance scheme

No fewer than 4,000 retirees in Enugu State have signed up for the state government’s free State Universal Health Insurance programme.

The registration took place on Thursday at the International Conference Centre in Enugu. It attracted pensioners from all 17 local government areas of the state.

Edith Okolo, the CEO of the Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage, spoke at the event. She said this initiative is part of the government's effort to make sure every resident has health insurance.

Ms Okolo explained that pensioners are prioritized because they are seen as vulnerable members of society. They should not have to pay for this coverage.

"To be precise, our mandate is to ensure that every resident of Enugu State is covered by health insurance.

"What is actually happening is that we are now reaching out and expanding coverage to people who were not previously captured," she said.

She mentioned that all pensioners living in Enugu State can access free health insurance, regardless of where they come from.

"As of today, we have registered over 4,000 of them. But you know, in Enugu State, there are more than 20,000 pensioners.

"We want those who have not registered to come out. You have nothing to lose because nobody is taking any money from you," she said.

Ms Okolo added that the insurance package covers treatment at primary healthcare centres and referrals to specialists and other hospitals.

She listed benefits like admission, laboratory tests, drugs, and treatment for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, and arthritis, along with some surgical procedures.

She encouraged pensioners to register at their nearest primary healthcare centres to access these services.

According to her, the agency has also included health checks in the programme, like measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

"So many people had high blood pressure and were not aware. That is why regular health checks are important," she said.

Ms Okolo urged beneficiaries who are asked to pay for covered services to contact the agency through its toll-free number for help. She stressed that this initiative is not a one-time thing.

Ikechukwu Ekere, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, praised the state government for making enrolment free for pensioners.

Mr Ekere said pensioners were initially hesitant to join when they learned they would have to pay N1,000 per month.

He noted that the government later agreed to cover the enrolment cost after appeals from the union.

Mr Ekere said the free enrolment has encouraged more pensioners in the local government and primary school sectors to register. He added that state pensioners have also started to sign up.

In his comments, Godwin Abumisi, the National President of the NUP, called the initiative an example of development that might not always be obvious but can greatly affect people’s lives.

Mr Abumisi said development should not just be about roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals but also about policies that improve citizens’ welfare.

He thanked Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for including pensioners in the health insurance programme, saying it shows attention to retirees’ welfare.

But Mr Abumisi also asked the state government to sort out the pension and gratuity arrears owed to pensioners. He referred to section 173 of the Nigerian Constitution, which talks about pension rights and reviews.

He specifically asked the state government to implement the N32,000 minimum pension for pensioners in Enugu State. He urged the administration to continue working to clear the outstanding arrears.

Chukwudi Ezinwa, the Special Adviser to Governor Mbah on Labour Union and Association Matters, and Eric Oluedo, the Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Local Government Staff Pensions Board, also spoke to the pensioners.

In their speeches, they promised the pensioners that the administration is working to address the backlog of pension and gratuity arrears.

They asked the pensioners to be patient, saying the government is committed to improving their welfare and making them smile.