BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
The United States Agency for International Development - Integrated Health Programme (USAID-IHP) in collaboration with the Ebonyi State government has engaged Journalists in a-2 day training on State Health Financing Landscape.
The training was to empower Journalists to assist in enhancing the awareness of public expenditure trends in Ebonyi State.
The USAID-IHP Officer in charge of Health Financing and Universal Health Coverage, Chidinma Eneze stated this in her address during the training in Abakaliki the State capital.
She said the training was targeted at making everybody know about health insurance schemes and how to access the facilities without impediments.
Eneze notified that IHP craves to broaden media awareness of public expenditure trends in Ebony state
She noted that "increase media awareness of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund BHCPF implementation in Ebonyi states, including sources and flow of funds.
"Increase media awareness of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme and enable media outlets accurately differentiate between SHIS and BHCPF."
He also stated that the training was organized to improve the capacity to conduct evidence-based reporting of health financing activities in the state and how to serve as catalysts for improved transparency, accountability and increased public health funding.
The USAID-IHP Officer in charge of Knowledge Management Specialist, Mr Uche Anoke encouraged the Journalists to do all they can to ensure that Universal Health Coverage, UHC is achieved both on the side of the government and the citizens in general.
Also, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, EBSHIA, Professor Uzoma Agwu announced that the State Insurance Agency has provided Health services to over 36,000 vulnerable people in the state.
Agwu equally urged Ebonyi people to register with the State Insurance Agency while emphasizing its affordability and accessibility.
