Funmi Olaitan
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State on Thursday flagged off the state's Health Insurance Scheme, assuring that his administration was
committed to improving health care service delivery of the people.
The scheme, which is the first by a state government in the country.
The governor lauded the people of the state for their support for
his government, noting that the results of his efforts to transform
the state are manifesting.
He said, “we have taken Oyo State higher than we met it and we need to give back to the society. This insurance scheme is for everyone especially the poor and that is why we have pegged the
registration to N200 only and monthly premium fee of N650. It is free for children under age 5 and pregnant women.
“This health insurance scheme is one among the various health
initiatives we offer our people to give them accessible and affordable quality health care. The free health, where several people are being treated, is presently going on across the state. We have improved safety and security across the state and we want our people to support our agriculture initiatives for food security. We are committed to
making life meaningful to our people and everything humanly possible to achieve this will be done."
Ajimobi appealed to the people not to deviate in their support for his administration and consequently urged them to get involved in the state Health Insurance Agency.
Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Prof. Tope Alonge, Managing Director/CEO Ultimate Health Management Services, Mr. Lekan Ewenla and Managing Director of Alafia Hospital, Mr. Babatunde Agbaje, in their separate goodwill messages, lauded the Oyo State government and Governor Ajimobi’s
administration for the initiative, saying that the scheme will give
the citizenry access to quality health care.
Alonge assured that the UCH will partner will the state government to improve its health sector, appealing that the people should take advantage of this first of its kind health insurance scheme by a state government by being beneficiaries of affordable health care.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez
Adeduntan, said there is no where in the world that health is totally free, explaining that health care is subsidized through health insurance scheme.
Acting Executive Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Sola Akande, said the health insurance scheme is backed by an enabling law for formal and informal sectors, stating that attempts by previous administrations to institutionalize the health insurance in the state suffered “abortion at different stages of gestation”.
He said, “Under the Ajimobi administration, the pregnancy has been carried to term and OYSHIA scheme delivered. The scheme will cater for those who need the services, and even those who cannot pay. It will promote a standard plan with a benefit package that covers over 90 per cent of disease pattern in our communities while the remaining 10 per cent
will come with top up packages for interested residents.
“This scheme will provide immediate employment for 627 health workers
and for the first time in the history of Oyo State, our local government health facilities will have more than one medical officer rendering services to the people. Some other residents of the state can be gainfully employed at biometric centres and vouchers’ sales points."