Health: Anambra Govt. offers free treatments for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis patients 

 The Anambra Government has urged Persons living with HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) to register with the state Health Insurance Agency to receive free treatments and reduce mortality rates.

Dr Afam Obidike, the state Commissioner for Health, made the call on Wednesday in Awka while speaking with newsmen.

Obidike said that the Anambra Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA) secured support from the Global Fund, enabling free treatment for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis under the health insurance scheme.

He said: “We had a meeting to re-strategise on how to ensure that residents in the state have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

“I commend the Managing Director of ASHIA for successfully securing Global Fund support for Anambra, which has enabled HIV/AIDS and TB treatments to be provided free of charge under the scheme.

“I am calling on persons living with HIV/AIDS and TB to go register with ASHIA to access these frees healthcare.”

Also speaking, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, Managing Director of ASHIA, said the agency would handle the expenses for the patients’ medical treatments whenever they seek care at the hospital.

“When a person living with HIV is diagnosed, there are other investigations done to monitor their treatments and they have to pay out of pocket for these health investigations.

“But the Global Fund support has come to take care of these patients through ASHIA.

“ASHIA will cover the cost of their treatments when they visit the hospital for care.

“I believe this development will promote better health outcomes and help lower the mortality rate,” he said.