The Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage (ESAUHC) says it has paid N270 million as capitation to 276 Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in the state for provision of healthcare services in 2025.

The executive secretary of ESAUHC, Edith Okolo, made the disclosure on Saturday in Enugu at the celebration of the 2025 United Nations Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day.

Ms Okolo said the money was for the healthcare delivery of 53,652 vulnerable persons under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) programmes.

The executive secretary said that the scheme with only N1,000 monthly and N12,000 person per annum provided access to quality health care services at both state and private health care providers.

She explained that December 12 every year was set aside by the United Nations to review progress towards attainment of UHC.

“To reaffirm our commitment to achieving UHC for all by the year 2030, ” she said.

Ms Okolo thanked Governor Peter Mbah for providing the needed environment to make UHC a success in the state through the construction of Type-2 PHCs in every ward across the state.

She also commended the governor for revitalising theType-3 PHCs and state general hospitals thereby ensuring that quality health care was accessible to all.

According to her, the agency had functional and fully equipped offices in all the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.

“All ESAUHC processes are digitalised and all staff are fully computer literate.

“This ensures transparency and accountability in all our processes and prompt payment to our service providers, ” Ms Okolo said.

The event also featured awards to outstanding healthcare providers, partners as well as standout personnel of the agency for ensuring the attainment of set objectives.

Speaking, an awardee and chairman of the Enugu East Local Government Council, Beloved Dan-Anike, praised the agency for efficient service delivery.

Ms Anike said that the efforts of ESAUHC had complemented the council’s determination to provide quality and affordable health care to the people of the area.

“Since we keyed into this programme many of our people have taken the advantage of your services to get treatments free of charge, ” he said.

Also, Jovita Okafor, chief executive officer of Divine Grace Hospital and Maternity, Enugu, commended the agency for efficient and prompt services to clients.

Ms Okafor, whose hospital is a service provider to the agency, described the executive secretary as a trusted and hardworking person, who is doing much with little.

“I commend the workers of the agency, because even in the middle of the night, when you call the office to provide code for their patient, they will respond immediately, ” he said.

Also speaking, Ken Ogbu, the Enugu state coordinator of National Health Insurance Authority, described ESAUHC as serious partners.

He said that he had on several instances tried to check the services of the agency and found the staff always alert to their responsibilities.

“Sometimes I just call them far into the night and instantly someone will answer and I will claim that it is a wrong number.

”This agency is up to its responsibility and I really commend them and ask that they continue the good work, so that together we can achieve better health for all in 2030, ” he said. 

(NAN)