Dr Onyemaechi advised OIC’s to strive for a minimum 25% utilization rate

By: Chisom Okafor

The Managing Director, Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr Simeon Onyemaechi has tasked the Officers-in-charge (OICs) of primary health centres (PHCs) to improve patient utilization rate for Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) to at least 25%.

He disclosed that the 25% utilization rate is a prerequisite for eligibility in the planned BHCPF 2.0 of the Federal Government to be introduced by 1st July 2024.

Dr. Onyemaechi made this known during the quarterly data validation meeting with the OIC’s at the ASHIA office in Awka.

Speaking on patient encounter form, the MD mandated them to compile and submit their encounter forms in time to avoid payment delay. He equally encouraged them to self- regulate the quality of care they render to the beneficiaries to avoid being punished by the Agency.

He noted that any referral should be properly documented for future purposes and to refer enrollees to the nearest secondary facility around their vicinity, and not necessarily to one within their Local Government Areas

Dr. Onyemaechi charged the OIC’s to train the nurses in their facilities to ensure they are familiar with the operations of BHCPF to enable them to render services even in their absence and in cases of emergency.