By Chidimma Ajemba.
Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA, Boss Dr Simeon Belonwu Onyemachi has assured the Disability Community in the state of his commitments in ensuring inclusiveness of pwds in accessing the health insurance scheme in the state.
This he said while officially unveiling the mobile ramp made available by his agency to help wheelchair users in accessing ASHIA building on Thursday April 1 in Awka.
“I just want to appreciate JONAPWD for being in the forefront and fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities.
” This ramp came about as a result of the promise I made sometime in January during your advocacy visit to my Agency on the need to start implementing the Anambra State Disability Right Law. The Law says there should be ramp in public buildings,I already have one in my private house.
” We opted for this mobile ramp because we are operating from a rented apartment and hence can not construct a cemented ramp. But I promise you that anytime ASHIA move to a permanent site ramps shall be provided to ease movement.
” His Excellency is so passionate about your guys and this he has shown by giving PWDs a sense of belonging through the appointment of one of you into his cabinet as Special Adviser Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie who has always been interceding for the rights and welfare of pwds.
” Anambra is the first to have passed the Disability Right Law in the Southeast and so many other dividends.
” So borrowing a leaf from his Excellency, my agency had an exercise called Basic Health Care Provision Fund(BHCPF) enrollment in partnership with Federal Government where 5 slots in each primary health center were reserved for pwds and a total of 1,650 pwds where captured for free health insurance”. Dr Onyemachi disclosed.
In his remarks the chairman Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities Comrade Ugochukwu Ernest Okeke appreciated Dr Onyemachi for being the first to have started the implementation of the Disability Right Law in Anambra State through the provision of the ramp to ease movement for wheelchair users.
“Sir indeed you are one of kind,thank you for this bold step you have taken within a short notice in making sure that pwds in the state have a sense of belonging when accessing this facility not minding the inconveniences.
” We also want to appreciate you for always putting pwds first in all your programs. We assure you that in due time you shall be awarded” Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke concluded.
The European Union RoLAC Project representative standing in for State Coordinator Mrs Josephine Onah,Dr Ifiora express his satisfaction that the RoLAC Project on the Implementation of the Anambra State Disability Right Law 2018 is now yielding positive outcome.
” RoLAC has been on ground since 2017 sponsoring and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. So this justifies that the money being spent by European Union to sponsor this project is never in vain.
” We appreciate you Sir for your kind intervention and commitments, l have no doubt that other agencies and MDA’s will emulate you.” Dr Ifiora said.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Sign Language Interpretation who represented the Special Adviser to the Governor on Disability Matters Barrister Chuks Ezewuzie,Mr Collins Joseph also appreciated the Executive Secretary of ASHIA noting that his contributions to the health sector of Anambra will never be over emphasized.
” Thank you Sir for your warm reception and immense contributions to the affairs of pwds in Anambra”.
Highpoints of the occasion was the practical demonstration of how to assist a wheelchair user to use the ramp by Dr Onyemachi.(OGDM).
