The Cross River State Health Insurance Agency (CRSHIA) and the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) have commenced discussions on extending health insurance coverage to staff and students of the institution.
The development followed a courtesy visit by the Director-General of CRSHIA, Chief (Sir) Godwin Iyala, and his team to the university on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Iyala said the visit was to explore a partnership that would make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable to members of the university community while reducing the financial burden of medical treatment on individuals and families.
He said the Agency was ready to collaborate with UNICROSS and accredit the university’s health centre to facilitate access to healthcare services for beneficiaries enrolled under the scheme.
The CRSHIA boss also introduced the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHE), which provides a framework for extending health insurance coverage to members of tertiary institutions.
Iyala stressed the importance of collective responsibility in expanding health insurance coverage, noting that participation in the scheme would help provide financial protection for staff and students when they require medical attention.
Responding, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Thomas Ojikpong, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, welcomed the proposal and thanked CRSHIA for initiating the engagement.
Ojikpong described the proposed collaboration as a welcome development, stressing that the health and wellbeing of staff and students were essential to the effective functioning of the university.
He said health insurance offered a practical means of reducing the financial burden of healthcare and expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would provide meaningful benefits to members of the university community.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor also commended the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for policies and programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of residents across the state.
Both parties expressed optimism that the discussions would culminate in a partnership that would expand access to quality and affordable healthcare services for UNICROSS staff and students.
The university delegation included the Registrar, Mrs Catherine Osai Ndifon; Bursar, Mr Wilson Aniyom; immediate Past Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Babson Ajibade; and Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebri Onen Ebri.
CRSHIA officials at the meeting included the Director of Administration, Mrs Aje Ayuk Asam; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Raymond Abugioye; Director of Accounts, Dr John Ekanem; and other officials of the Agency.
By Kingsley Agim
