DIPLOMAN TIMES

The Cross River State Health Insurance Agency and the University of Cross River State have commenced discussions on extending health insurance coverage to the institution's staff and students through a proposed partnership.

The engagement followed a courtesy visit by the Director-General of CRSHIA, Chief Godwin Iyala, and his team to UNICROSS on Friday, October 2, 2026. The discussions focused on creating a framework that could make healthcare more accessible and affordable to members of the university community while reducing the financial burden associated with medical treatment.

Iyala said the Agency was prepared to collaborate with the university and accredit its health centre to facilitate access to healthcare services for beneficiaries enrolled under the proposed arrangement. He also introduced the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme, described as a framework for extending health insurance coverage to members of tertiary institutions.

The CRSHIA Director-General said participation in health insurance could provide financial protection when staff and students require medical attention. The proposed arrangement therefore centres on an institutional mechanism through which healthcare costs could be managed more predictably for members of the university community.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Professor Thomas Ojikpong, represented Vice Chancellor Professor Francisca Bassey during the engagement and welcomed the proposal. He described the health and wellbeing of staff and students as important to the effective functioning of the institution and said insurance offered a practical means of reducing healthcare-related financial pressure.

Both sides expressed optimism that the discussions would result in a partnership expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare for UNICROSS staff and students. The engagement remains at the discussion stage, with accreditation and the final partnership arrangements identified as matters to be developed through continued collaboration.