In a testament to the impact of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, Cynthia Osam, a young woman from Iyamoyong in Obubra Local Government Area, on Tuesday underwent two successful life-saving surgeries, thanks to the state’s strengthened healthcare system.
The surgeries were performed by Dr. Ekon Francis, at General Hospital Obubra, who lauded the state’s health insurance scheme as one of the best initiatives by the government. He highlighted that the scheme provides financial protection against high medical costs, ensuring that people, regardless of their financial status, can access quality medical care. He noted that it allows enrollees to receive preventive care at little or no cost, significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses while granting them access to a reliable network of healthcare providers.
Dr. Francis also emphasized that the insurance scheme covers prescription medications, emergency medical care, and catastrophic medical expenses that could otherwise plunge families into financial distress. He pointed out that maternity and newborn care are guaranteed under the scheme, which ultimately improves maternal and infant health outcomes. Mental health services are also included, providing holistic care for enrollees. Above all, he described the scheme as a source of peace of mind for individuals and families, knowing that their healthcare needs are covered.
Speaking on Cynthia Osam’s case, Dr. Francis explained that she was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and degenerated fibroids, both requiring urgent surgical intervention.
“We had a patient with cases of acute appendicitis and degenerated fibroids. The surgeries were successful,” he stated, emphasizing the critical role health insurance played in ensuring timely medical intervention.
Dr. Francis further noted that expanding access to health insurance would save more lives, ensuring that quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right for all Cross Riverians.
Her mother, Mrs. Cecelia Osam, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for improving healthcare access and commended Commissioner Oden Ewa for adopting her daughter into the health insurance scheme. She described the initiative as a lifesaver, emphasizing that without it, her family would have struggled to afford the medical procedures.
When quizzed about the positive development at Obubra General Hospital, the Director General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Chief Godwin Iyala, described it as “a welcome development,” and urged well-to-do Cross Riverians to invest in the health of the poor and vulnerable in society.
Chief Iyala expressed optimism that more testimonies like Cynthia’s will saturate the media space, as more individuals and organizations have shown interest in adopting health insurance coverage for their communities.
The success of Cynthia Osam’s surgeries reinforces the Cross River State Government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all, particularly through its health insurance program. With more residents enrolling, the initiative continues to bridge the gap in medical access, delivering quality healthcare services to even the most vulnerable populations.
By Kingsley Agim
