ASHIA Has Improved Life Expectancy In Anambra – Dr. Onyemaechi

Preliminary studies indicate that with the introduction of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme ASHIA, life expectancy has increased in the State.

Giving the indication while interacting with the governor’s media team on “Meet the Media”, the Special Adviser to the governor on Health and Executive Secretary of ASHIA, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi said the positive indicator stems from optimised and standardized qualitative Healthcare delivery which the ASHIA scheme epitomizes and ensures.

Dr Onyemaechi pointed out that the short term assessment gives a very promising insight into the expected impacts of the ASHIA in the course of time towards achieving SDG Goal 3- Good Health and Well Being for Ndi Anambra.

He however, clarified that Health Indices are only tenable when objective figures are present and outcomes best measured after a period of at least two years but emphasized that the assessment was based on preliminary results which have shown that maternal mortality rate has gone down. 

The Public Health Professional informed that the twin indices, maternal Mortality and child Mortality are used to measure health system successes and within its extensive coverage, the healthcare needs of Anambra women and children are priotised thereby increasing life expectancy.

He explained that some women don’t agree to CS sessions because of the cost Implications but now they can give birth to the Hospital of their choice because they have been enrolled in the ASHIA scheme.

He further explained the foundational objectives and projections that propel the agencies operations, saying that Governor Willie Obiano wants to bequeath to his Successor an ASHIA that will be able to self finance its operations, take on any unforeseen circumstances and dynamic to take some of the ailments they are not taking on today and management of chronic diseases.”