Stakeholders in the health industry gathered during the week at the state house of assembly for a public hearing on the Akwa Ibom state Anti stigma and discrimination of persons living with HIV/AIDS Bill 2020.

Deliberations were also made to establish the bill for a law for establishing a health Insurance agency in The state.

At the public hearing the chairman house committee on health matters Honorable UDEME OTONG said that the bills are critical to improving citizens access to health care, while also helping to reduce out of pocket spending for health services.

Akwa Ibom’s commissioner for health Professor AUGUSTINE UMOH also speaking at the hearing expressed concern that the state was lagging behind with the passage of a health insurance bill.

The Stakeholders comprised Project Manager AKSACA, DR ARTHUR IGBEMI, NACA South South Coordinator, Dr UDUAK DANIEL, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Multi Lateral Agencies, Ndiana ABASI UDOM, Implementing Partners in the state, amongst others. 

They had key contributions and corrections to make on the bills which have passed first and second reading on the floor of the State House of Assembly.