Abuja: The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA) has been named the ‘Fastest Growing Agency in Health Care Coverage in 2025’ by the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care. The accolade was presented during a ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of the Institute, Dr. Hope Uweja, praised the establishment of State Health Insurance Schemes across Nigeria, describing them as vital in the country’s quest for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With his extensive experience in the sector, Uweja expressed deep appreciation for the significant impact these schemes are making. He particularly acknowledged states like Akwa Ibom for their dedication to expanding health insurance coverage, emphasizing their pivotal role in achieving UHC in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary of AKSHIA, Dr. Arthur Igbemi, received the award on behalf of the agency. He highlighted that the scheme, launched on September 20, 2024, aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare to all residents of Akwa Ibom State. The ARISECare programme has already enrolled over 47,000 residents and is expanding to cover more than 52,000 civil servants and their dependents, with a target of reaching up to 200,000 individuals. Dr. Igbemi credited the agency’s success to the strong support of Governor Umo Eno, commending his commitment to prioritizing health in his development agenda. He noted ongoing projects in the state, including the construction of a Medical City and other healthcare facilities.
Dr. Edikan Ekwere, Chairman of the AKSHIA Governing Board, expressed his joy at the recognition, highlighting the significance of receiving the award just six months after launching the programme. He attributed the success to the unwavering support of Governor Umo Eno and dedicated the award to God, the Governor, AKSHIA board members, and agency staff for their hard work.
Mr. Aniekan Akpan, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom Liaison Office, also expressed gratitude to the Governor for his proactive leadership in enabling the state’s participation in the health insurance programme. He acknowledged the initial slow start but emphasized that the state had caught up due to the Governor’s consistent drive and leadership, which has improved health coverage for low-income earners.
The event also featured goodwill messages from Dr. Salma Anas, Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, and various state representatives.
