NMA Harps On Medical Insurance

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Rivers State has called for the spread of medical insurance across board, noting that such policy will improve medicare in the state.
In a chat with The Tide, Chairman of NMA, Dr Ebbi Robinson said if all strata of the society embrace the new health insurance, then, the resultant effect will reduce the burden on government as well.
“I will recommend that the state insurance be made compulsory so that everyone will key into it. Making the insurance optional will not help much,” Robinson said.
The NMA chairman who praised the state government for formulating the health insurance scheme also called for more enlightenment so more people will enroll in the system.
One thing with health insurance is that it creates equilibrium, one person to the other and the other to another person, such that the fund can revolve to take care of both those who are rich and poor”, he stressed.
Explaining further, the NMA boss submitted that even in advanced clime medicare is expensive hence the insurance helps to reduce cost delivery across all strata of the society.
He decried the rising spate of cardiovascular diseases due to the harsh economic climate in the country, “the pressure is high and this gives birth to cardiovascular diseases. Though there are primary and secondary causes of stress but the secondary ones are acute.”
He related that these days, heart diseases such as high blood pressure are not longer associated with older people but is now fast getting hold on younger people as a result of lifestyle and other factors.
Robinson however praised the State Primary Health Board for being proactive over the years, stating that the health policy objectives of the Chief Wike administration has equally improved health care through equipment and funding of health projects.

By: Kevin Nengia