Cross River to deploy drones to supply healthcare materials

The Cross River Health Insurance Agency said it plans to use drones to deliver health materials to rural areas.

The agency’s Director-General, Godwin Iyala, who disclosed this on Monday in Calabar, said the scheme would kick off on March 9.

“Governor Ben Ayade has also approved March 9 as the flag-off date of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund enrolment (BHCPF) into the Health Insurance Scheme.

“Our international partners will provide drones that will make for effective delivery of medical materials to the rural areas, given the state’s unique, but difficult terrain,” Mr Iyala said.

Mr Iyala said the packages to be delivered by drones would include items for the treatment of basic ailments, for caesarean sections for expectant mothers, and tuberculosis, leprosy and cancer drugs and medicaments.

He said those who enroll in the BHCPF would be expected to pay N1,000 monthly, which would amount to N12, 000 per annum.

He outlined the benefits of the scheme to include “the pooling of resources for cross-subsidisation of health costs where those in the high-income bracket subsidise those in the low-income bracket.”

The director-general noted that with plans already put in place, the state was on the path of achieving universal health coverage for residents.

He urged residents to enroll in the scheme “to achieve better health for all.”

The flag-off of the scheme, earlier scheduled for April 7, 2020, was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

(NAN).