NEWS
Abiriba Community to Enrol 1,000 Members in Abia Health Insurance Scheme
The Abiriba Improvement Community is set to enrol 1,000 members of the community into the Abia State health insurance scheme, as the state government intensifies efforts to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare for residents.
The initiative is being implemented under the Community Supported Health Insurance Program of the Abia State Ministry of Health, which the state government says is gaining momentum across communities.
The formal launch of the scheme for the Abiriba community has been scheduled for September 16, 2026, marking another step in the administration’s drive to broaden health insurance coverage and reduce the financial burden of healthcare on residents.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, September 7, 2026, while briefing journalists at Government House, Umuahia, on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR.
Prince Kanu explained that the 1,000 beneficiaries from Abiriba would be enrolled through the financial support provided by the Abiriba Improvement Community, describing the gesture as an example that other communities could emulate.
According to the Commissioner, each beneficiary’s enrolment costs N18,000, meaning that the Abiriba community’s initial investment in the scheme amounts to ₦18 million.
”As earlier reported, 1,000 individuals of Abiriba community will be enrolled into the health insurance program.
“Each enrollment for a person is 18,000 Naira, indicating a total investment outlay of 18,000,000 Naira in the first instance.
“As we did report not too long ago, other communities in the state are encouraged to do the same in line with what the Abiriba community is doing,” Prince Kanu advised.
The Commissioner’s appeal comes as the state records continued growth in participation in its health insurance programme, suggesting increasing awareness and acceptance of the scheme among residents.
Prince Kanu disclosed that total enrolment in the state’s health insurance scheme has now risen to 270,739, representing a further increase from the figures previously reported by the government.
He said the growing number of enrollees reflects increasing confidence in the programme and its capacity to provide residents with improved access to healthcare services.
“To date, 270,739 enrollees have been recorded, indicating a high level of confidence displayed by Amreva citizens and residents in the scheme,” he said.
The latest development underscores the role communities can play in expanding healthcare coverage, particularly through collective support for vulnerable and underserved residents.
The Abiriba initiative is therefore expected to serve as a model for other Improvement Unions and community development organisations across Abia State, with the government urging them to adopt similar interventions to increase the number of residents covered by health insurance.
With the formal launch scheduled for September 16, attention will now shift to the implementation of the Abiriba enrolment and the extent to which other communities across the state respond to the government’s call to support wider participation in
the health insurance scheme.