Ajimobi flags off first state health insurance scheme amidst applaud
The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Thursday flagged off
the State Health Insurance Scheme, saying that his administration is
committed to improving health care service delivery of the people.
The scheme, which is the first by a state government in the country,
was applauded by stakeholders in the health industry in their goodwill
messages at the flag off Ibadan.
Governor Ajimobi thanked the people of the state for their support for
his government, noting that the results of his efforts to transform
the state are manifesting.
The Governor 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 naira only and monthly premium fee of N650 naira.
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,” he added.
Governor 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.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Chief Medical Director of
University College Hospital, Professor Tope Alonge, the Managing
Director/CEO Ultimate Health Management Services, Mr. Lekan Ewenla and
the Managing Director of Alafia Hospital, Mr. Babatunde Agbaje
commended 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.
Professor Alonge promised that 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.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Azeez
Adeduntan said that there is no where in the world that health is
totally free, explaining that health care is subsidized through health
insurance scheme.
The Acting Executive Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Agency,
Dr. Sola Akande said that the health insurance scheme is backed by an
enabling law for formal and informal sectors, saying that attempts by
previous administrations to institutionalize the health insurance in
the state suffered “Abortion at different stages of gestation”.
According to him, “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% of disease pattern in our communities while the remaining 10%
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,” he explained.