By Praise Chinecherem
The Anambra State Government has sanctioned two hospitals for demanding extra money from patients of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) for services covered by the health insurance scheme.
Managing Director of the Agency (ASHIA), Dr. Simeon Beluonwu Onyemaechi, who disclosed this in his office in Awka, said government frowned on the development as it is not owing any hospital under the scheme.
He maintained that government has never defaulted in the payment of capitation to hospitals rendering services to ASHIA enrollees.
He was however worried that in spite of all the sensitisation efforts both on social and traditional media, people are still being exploited by some hospitals under the scheme.
He said, “ASHIA has persistently advised enrollees of the health insurance scheme to always report cases of exploitation through the phone numbers on the cards given to them upon registration as well as other feedback mechanism available to them to enable the agency to seek redress on their behalf.
“The agency does not hesitate to delist health facilities involved in the exploitation and maltreatment of beneficiaries of the State Health Insurance Scheme.
“We’ve already delisted two hospitals this year for demanding extra charges for treatment of ailments covered by ASHIA.”
