Akwa Ibom: Health Insurance Agency Targets 200,000 Residents In 1 Year

The Akwa Ibom State Health Insurance Agency (AKSHIA) has been named the Fastest Growing Agency in Health Care Coverage for 2025 by the Institute of Health Insurance and Managed Care, in recognition of its rapid strides towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the country

The award was presented at a ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, where health sector leaders and stakeholders gathered to celebrate outstanding contributions to the growth of health insurance across the country.

Chairman of the Institute, Dr. Hope Uweja, praised the role of state-run health insurance schemes in the country’s journey towards UHC. “If there is one aspect of our health insurance ecosystem that I particularly appreciate, it is the establishment of the State Health Insurance Schemes. These schemes are playing a significant role in paving the way towards achieving UHC in Nigeria,” he said.

Receiving the award on behalf of the agency, AKSHIA’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Arthur Igbemi, described the recognition as a testament to the agency’s commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare in Akwa Ibom State.

He noted that the state’s flagship programme, ARISECare, has enrolled over 47,000 residents since its launch in September 2024 and is on track to reach 200,000 people, including civil servants and their dependents before the end of 2025.

“This achievement would not have been possible without the Governor’s vision. He is committed to keeping rural communities healthy, enabling them to remain close to home, farm, and generate income, Dr. Igbemi said,

Igbemi also highlighted major health infrastructure projects underway in the state, such as a new Medical City, Emergency Services Unit, and a model Primary Healthcare Centre some of which have already been commissioned by Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the AKSHIA Governing Board, Dr. Edikan Ekwere, expressed elation at the national recognition. “It’s no small feat for us to receive this award just six months after launching our programme,” he said. “This is one of those government interventions that truly transcends every fabric of Akwa Ibom society.”

Similarly, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom Liaison Office in Abuja, Mr. Aniekan Akpan, lauded the Governor’s proactive leadership and commitment to the health sector.