The Community Empowerment Network (COMEN) has called on residents of Anambra State to enrol in health insurance schemes as a way of reducing the financial burden associated with medical treatment.
The organisation made the call during a health awareness outreach held at St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Urum, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking at the event, the Secretary of COMEN in Anambra State, Albert Chinwuko, said health insurance could provide families with financial protection during medical emergencies and other situations requiring costly healthcare.
Chinwuko noted that unexpected hospital bills could push households into financial hardship, stressing that health insurance allows families to spread healthcare costs instead of bearing the full financial burden when illness occurs.
To illustrate the potential benefits, he shared experiences involving members of his family who had reportedly benefited from health insurance coverage.
According to him, his son’s wife, who was covered by health insurance, gave birth to twins at a hospital where the total bill amounted to ₦280,000, but the family reportedly paid only ₦25,000.
“My son’s wife gave birth to twins. The total hospital bill was ₦280,000, but we paid only ₦25,000. You can see how much the health insurance scheme helped our family,” Chinwuko said.
He also recounted the case of a woman who required an emergency operation after being referred to a private hospital in the early hours of the morning.
Chinwuko said the procedure reportedly cost about ₦380,000, but the woman did not pay for the surgery because she was enrolled in a health insurance scheme.
He added that the family only spent about ₦80,000 on drugs purchased during the treatment.
Chinwuko urged residents who are not currently enrolled in health insurance programmes to consider doing so, stressing that access to affordable healthcare can help families avoid severe financial pressure during medical emergencies.
The organisation said greater awareness and enrolment in health insurance schemes could contribute to improved access to healthcare and stronger financial protection for households across the state.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
