The World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Imo State Government, have partnered to launch the innovative, Mobile Health Insurance Programme, in Owerri, designed to achieve seamless coverage of over 96 per cent population of the informal sector. The initiative would help to reduce the existing out-of-pocket expenditure of 92 per cent, as the mobile platforms would provide automated opportunities for philanthropists to graciously adopt the poor and vulnerable on health insurance. He said the WHO supported the State with the design, and flag-off of the insurance scheme, which has culminated in the launch of the use of mobile phone technology to pay for and access Health Insurance. He requested the renewed partnership of the WHO in Primary Health Care (PHC) revitalization, and the full implementation of the State Health Insurance Scheme, to provide access to essential healthcare to Imo citizens at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. WHO already supported the State with core health financing analytics with the development and printing of the State Health Financing Policy and Strategy, operational guidelines of the State Health Insurance Scheme, key operational documents for the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, as well as the donation of laptop computers.

Source: The Guardian August 24, 2020 04:18 UTC