By Christy Emeka
The Member Representing Oru East State Constituency and Chief Whip of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri has presented an Executive Bill seeking to make some amendment in the State Health Insurance Law No 4 of 2018.
This took place on Monday during the House plenary on an emergency sitting day, tagged, “Special Sitting”.
Presenting the bill, which was lifted from the Notice of Presentation Session, and made to form part of the Order of the Day, the Chief whip, Rt. Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri pointed out that its amendment is to enable the Board of the scheme to function effectively and optimally.
Nwaneri noted that to achieve such, that the responsibility of running the affairs of the health insurance will now be bestowed on the Chairman of the Board, instead of the Governor of the State who had the sole authority to do so.
He pointed out the key sessions of the Principal Law which is to be amended –
“Delete Section 4 (a) of the Principal Law and replace with the following – The Agency shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Heartland Health Management Corporation and shall be responsible for – the operation of the Health Insurance Scheme in the State”
On establishment of a Governing Board, “Delete Section 5 of the Principal Law and replace with the following – There is established, the Imo State Insurance Agency Governing Board (referred to in this Law, as “the Board”)
“The Board shall consist of the following members – the chairman who shall also be the Chairman of the Heartland Health Management Corporation;
“the Executive Secretary who will be the Secretary to the Board; a representative of the Ministry in charge of health matters; and two other members of the Heartland Health Management Corpration to be nominated by the Board of heartland Health Management Corporation.”
“Delete Section 7(2) of the Principal Law”
On Resignation of members of the Board, “Delete section 8 of the Principal Law and replace with the following – A member of the Board may resign his appointment by notice in writing, addressed to the Chairman of the Board, and the resignation shall take effect only on the acknowledgement of the Chairman of the Board.”
The bill was given an accelerated hearing as it was read the second time, went through the Committee of the Whole House, read the third time, and passed.
The Speaker further directed the clerk of the House to send a copy of their resolve to the governor for final assent.
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