The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) on Thursday organised a befitting send-forth ceremony to commend the pioneer Coordinator of Cross River State NHIA, Mrs Margaret Moffi, for satisfactorily discharging her duties for the progress of the state, having served from 2013 to 2023.
Tribune online gathered that, Mrs Margaret Moffi pioneered the health insurance in the state whereby she carried out accreditation of all facilities interested in the programme across the 18 local government areas. Cross River became the reference point of health insurance in Nigeria being the first to buy into the programme.
The journey of ten years stewardship has led to increased access, equity and expansion of the fiscal space towards the attainment of Universal Health coverage.
Speaking at the event, the coordinator, NHIA, Cross River State, Mr Stanley Effah, praised her selfless service, dedication, passion and the positive impact she made to a point that Cross River became the reference point of health insurance in Nigeria being the first to buy into the programme.
“What played out today is a recognition of leadership role the last coordinator played. She started the journey of the state health insurance and I can’t take for granted what she has done. I know the real work will commence now but I must always appreciate the humble beginning of how it started.
“She has creates a big vacuum for me but I’m not afraid. My coming in as the State coordinator is to compliment the virtue and the good works she has done and all of us putting our heads together to actualize this mandatory health insurance within the ecosystem of Cross River State.”
Delivering his goodwill remarks, the Chief Medical Director, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) Prof Ikpeme Ikpeme, represented by NHIA Accountant, UCTH, Osadim Eno commended Mrs Moffi for her transfer of service noted that her leaving has been quite remarkable because she is stepping up to something higher.
“She had laid a foundation and I know that it’s going to be a lot easier for the current state coordinator to sail through considering the caliber of people she has groomed, she noted.
Responding, the former coordinator, Mrs Margaret Moffi appreciated the management of NHIA for deeming it well to honour her with a well-packaged send-forth ceremony and admonished the current coordinator to be professional in the discharge of his duties.
She expressed her appreciation to the stakeholders and advised the State Government and the State Health Insurance Agency to return Cross River to the enviable status it was where Cross River was a reference point in Health insurance In Nigeria.
The ceremony had in attendance the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, Heads of private hospitals/clinics and NHIA members of staff.
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