NLC Boss, Sir Humphrey Emeka Nwafor Speaks On Why They Partnered ASHIA To Conduct 2-Day Free Medical Health Check-Up For Over 1500 Anambra Workers

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Anambra State Chapter, Comrade (Sir) Humphrey Emeka Nwafor, KSJI, says that the 2-Day Free Medical Screening to over 1500 workers in the state was part of the activities geared towards commemorating the 2024 May Day Celebration and also to ensure the physical wellbeing of the workforce.

According to the the NLC Anambra State Chapter Boss who doubles as the NASU Anambra State Council Chairman, said that the free medicare was sponsored by the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA).

The two-day screening exercise which took place at the Teachers House in Awka had over one thousand five (1500), civil servants present for the screening.

Comrade Humphrey
Emeka Nwafor, KSJI, in an interview with the newsmen said that ‘When you give attention to the workers, their productivity output will improve significantly hence the engagement with the already established government health insurance scheme,’ he said.

The Labour leader noted that the exercise was in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo blueprint in health of workers as healthcare needs of over 1,500 civil servants were being care of.

Earlier in her opening speech, the Anambra State Head of service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, mni, stated that ‘One of the challenges we face as workers in the State is the issue of health, if you are not healthy you cannot serve the State properly,’ the HoS stated.

She appreciated ASHIA and the NLC for coming up with such idea, and encouraged the workers to be careful with their health by going for regular checkups at their various ASHIA hospital.

For his part, the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer of ASHIA, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi said that the exercise was aimed at preventing primary and secondary health challenges as well as scale up effort in achieving universal health coverage in Anambra State.

The ASHIA Boss, Dr Onyemaechi educated the workers on the need for constant medical checkups which was the reason for having health insurance in the first place, he said that now ‘You don’t have to pay exorbitant medical bills for your health, Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme has covered the bill for you,’ he said .

He further expressed his excitement with the turnout of about 1,500 workers participating in the screening, noting that the cost that they put in was not wasted, even as he said that they were very excited and that the exercise would prevent a lot of diseases and detect a lot more earlier.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, the President of NULGE Anambra State, Comrade Adigwe Samson extolled the workers for turning out en masse for the screening exercise, saying that he was more impressed with the turnout and conduct of the participants. He appreciated NLC leadership and ASHIA MD/CEO for initiating and carrying out such a commendable exercise

One of the beneficiaries Mrs Elizabeth Okoye, expressed her gratitude to the Anambra State government, the head of service, ASHIA and the NLC for conducting such event, saying that it showed that the State had the welfare of its workers at heart.