Akwa Ibom Health Insurance Scheme Surpasses 170,000 Enrollees, Over 130,000 Already Accessing Care

The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Scheme, introduced under Governor Umo Eno’s administration, has achieved a milestone of more than 170,000 registered participants, with over 130,000 beneficiaries currently receiving healthcare services across the state.

Board Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Edikan Ekwere, shared these updates during ARISE Tracka, a radio magazine programme of the Government House Press Centre on Premium 89.9FM, Abak.

He explained that enrolment has grown significantly—from about 800 beneficiaries in July 2024 to 11,000 by the official launch in September 2024, and now exceeding 170,000. Among these, 29,000 civil servants and 78,000 dependants (spouses and children under 21) have joined, alongside retirees, inmates in correctional centres, over 5,000 motherless babies, and more than 53,000 vulnerable persons.

Dr. Ekwere highlighted that beneficiaries receive health insurance cards granting access to accredited facilities. In 2025 alone, the agency spent over ₦679 million on healthcare services, including ₦447 million for vulnerable groups and ₦79 million for the formal sector.

The scheme covers critical interventions such as surgeries for newborns with congenital conditions, caesarean sections, and free deliveries. So far, 489 women have undergone caesarean sections, while more than 1,000 have delivered at no cost.

To strengthen transparency and awareness, the agency has updated its information platforms and expanded outreach through radio, print media, and community structures. Enrolment forms are now available at primary healthcare centres, with offices being set up across all 10 federal constituencies.

Individuals in the informal sector can enrol for ₦18,000 annually, while civil servants contribute five percent of their basic salary, covering themselves, their spouses, and up to four children. Vulnerable groups

including pregnant women, children under five, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are enrolled free of charge.