The Community Based Health Initiative is a political ward based health insurance scheme which was commissioned in 2014 in Ukana West, Essien Udim LGA, Akwa-Ibom.
The idea behind the program is that people in the community take ownership of their healthcare and participate in using government facilities to optimise equitable efficient and accessible healthcare. The facility where members of the community seek medical care is owned by the Local Government.
According to some members of the community, the program has helped saved lives by providing affordable health care.
Maragret Udoh, the chief public health nursing superintendent gives a health talk.
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Women pray just before the commencement of the weekly health education for pregnant women and nursing mothers in the Primary Health centre in Ukana.
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Charles Udoh, a pharmacy technician takes stock of drugs in the drug store at the Primary Health centre in Ukana which is managed by the Community Based Health Initiative program
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A nurse checks the blood pressure of a patient.
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Nurse Margaret takes down the medical history of a patient.
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A nurse checks the weight of a baby while the mother looks on
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Various medical staff attend to some nursing mothers in the outpatient room at the Primary Health centre in Ukana.
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Nursing mothers wait to take their children into the outpatient room to seek medical care.
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A nurse takes down the medical history of a patient.
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A nurse checks the blood pressure of a patient.
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A nurse prepares to immunize a child.
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“I and my husband got enrolled in the Community Based Health Initiative in 2017. The program has been very helpful to us. It has helped reduced the cost of maternal/child care as well as overall health cost.
Whenever I visit the primary health centre, I pay ₦100 to obtain a clearance card. As soon as I get it, I can get whatever drug has been prescribed for me or my my registered family members at no cost.” Felicia Christopher
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A pharmacy technician hands over a prescribed drugs to a patient.
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Some medical and non-medical staff prepare to leave the primary health centre in Ukana
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A signage of the the primary health centre in Ukana
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“I was one of the pioneer beneficiaries of the CBHI program. I and my family have greatly benefited from the program. A few days after my daughter was born, we found out that she had jaundice. She was treated and taken care of at no cost by the CBHI partner hospital. My daughter is alive today because of the program. The CBHI program will help reduce the number of avoidable deaths that occurs in my village. “ Chief Victor Joseph Ntuen
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“I got enrolled in the Community Based Health Initiative in 2016. I was pregnant at the time. When I was due to give birth, I was advised to have a caesarean delivery. I did not pay for the surgery as my insurance covered that. I kept subscribing up until 2018. I hope to renew my subscription as soon as it is financially convenient for me.” Aniema Effiong Udoh
Etinosa Yvonne
Etinosa Yvonne (b. 1989) is a self taught documentary photographer from Benin, Nigeria. Etinosa’s work focuses on underreported societal issues as it affects the everyday Nigerian and society at large.