Anambra improves emergency care and reimbursement services

Nigeria's federal government has praised Anambra State for progress in implementing the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, particularly in emergency medical services, health insurance claims processing and payments to healthcare facilities, according to Punch. Ambulances and emergency responses have also benefited from private-sector participation.

Agboola Olasunkanmi, deputy director in charge of the informal sector at the National Health Insurance Authority, recommended quarterly meetings of the state oversight committee to improve coordination among the agencies responsible for the programme. Anambra Health Commissioner Afam Obidike, for his part, said facilities benefiting from the funding had better equipment, increased support for frontline workers and better access to essential services.

The programme has also enabled telemedicine to be extended to some districts supported by the funding. Nurses and community health workers can consult doctors using communication devices and data provided by the programme, particularly in areas where immediate access to a doctor remains limited.