Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), yesterday, publicized that it was set to partner with Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHiS) to end the menace of quackery in the state.
Its chairman, Dr. Udoka Imoisili, at a news conference in Benin City, said the association through its 2023 Annual General Conference Meeting and Scientific Conference (AGM & SC) is to commence assisting the state government to institute modalities to get into a health insurance social contract with citizens of the state to reduce quackery and improve the health indices of the state, noting that NMA was committed to ensuring all indigenes have access to health care.
“Out of pocket payment for healthcare services, particularly in the face of the current economic challenges, drives most residents to patronize.
“Quackery flourishes in the absence of a well coordinated and implemented health insurance to the detriment of the people, the healthcare practitioners, and the government.”
She noted that the poor health indices in the state and the country at large was multifactorial and can be largely attributed (as studies have shown) to inability of the masses to afford health care, lack of good health seeking behavior and poor availability of health information.
Similarly, she noted that Edo NMA has done an appraisal of the prevalent health challenges alongside the impediments to achieving universal health coverage and has saddled herself with the task of providing answers to the hydra-headed menace of poor health indices and quackery ravaging the society.
“We have committed ourselves to collaborate with the Edo State Government in developing a strategic plan and with actionable recommendations to reposition the health insurance pack (EDOHIS) in the heart of the people.
“Providing permanent solutions to the health challenges of the people is not only the responsibility of the government, but collaborative efforts between government and stakeholders.
