The Abia State Government has paid N500 million counterpart funds and approved a health insurance scheme that would enable civil servants in the state to enjoy quality medical services from service providers.

The State Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday evening while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting, presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

Kanu, who said that the insurance scheme is for all civil servants, noted that they are supposed to pay 5% from their basic salaries, but Governor Otti has approved 2.5% payment for them for the first three months.

The commissioner informed that the state government has approved the comprehensive upgrade and remodeling of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, adding that the Abia State Specialist Hospital has regained its Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s accreditation status for the training of medical interns.

According to him, with the accreditation, the training quota of the institution was increased from 24 to 36.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya, said that having commenced the contribution, employees of the Abia State Government would start accessing the services in three months’ time.

Ogbonnaya pointed out that employees of the government are entitled to four dependents in addition to their spouses, adding that modalities are underway to accommodate persons in the informal sector in the scheme.

Abia Govt approves health insurance services for civil servants