•Performs Foundation Laying Ceremony Of Contributory Health Commission
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Tuesday disclosed that his administration has continued to demonstrate political will in attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in accordance with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Governor Akeredolu expressed his administration’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery in the state.
He spoke at the official flag off of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) for public servants in the state.
The Governor equally performed the foundation-laying ceremony of the permanent office complex of the State Contributory Health Commission beside the State Revenue House, Igbatoro Road, Akure.
At the well attended event held at the International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, Akure, Governor Akeredolu explained that the official flag off of ORANGHIS ushered in a breath of fresh air in the healthcare delivery system in line with the fifth point of his government’s REDEEMED agenda, which is Effective Healthcare and Social Welfare.
According to him, ORANGHIS is designed for all political office holders and civil servants in the State.
He noted that the delight of any Governor in a developing country like Nigeria, is to be able to create a sustainable funding mechanism that lowers the financial barriers to healthcare for the citizenry.
The Governor said:”In spite of the obvious economic constraints across Nigeria, we approved the joint contribution of 3% of gross salary of each public servant under a sharing ratio of 1.8% by the State Government and 1.2% by individual public servant, as the premium for a family health insurance plan, covering each public servant, one spouse and four biological children below the age of 18 years.
“It is on record that we are the only State Government, in recent times, that is taking up the responsibility of a larger percentage (60%) of the health insurance premium for public servants. We made the commitment to do so as part of the social welfare promise under the REDEEMED agenda.”
He acknowledged the patriotic support of the labour unions in enthroning the Orange Health Insurance Scheme, saying they have shown maturity, dedication, understanding and true sense of comradeship.
“We have continued to demonstrate political will since on 6th February, 2018, when I signed into Law, the Bill establishing the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission and the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme in response to the pressing global need to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in accordance with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We also gave effect to the operationalisation of this Law by creating a temporary office space for the Commission, which we officially opened on 24th June, 2019, to begin her mandate of regulating, supervising and coordinating all health insurance activities within the State.
“You will recall that we have begun the implementation of health insurance by paying the premium for pregnant women and children below the age of five years through a budgetary line for the Abiyamo Maternal-and-Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS) – the first health insurance product.
“I am glad to inform you that the Abiyamo scheme since 3rd December, 2019 till date, has recorded over 24,200 beneficiaries who have not had to pay a kobo for antenatal care, delivery services (including Caesarean Sections) and other allied services.
“Thereafter, we approved the release of the State’s counterpart fund to the Federal Government-funded Basic Health Care Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP) in order for another set of vulnerable persons in Ondo State to enjoy robust healthcare services.
“Today, 20,560 enrollees, made up of widows, retirees, aged, indigents, women and children below five years are the six categories of beneficiaries receiving care at the 203 Primary Health Care Facilities (1 per 203 wards) with referrals to general hospitals when required under the BHCPF programme.
“The beneficiaries pay no kobo for medical, surgical, gynaecology and several other health care services. We are, therefore, glad that the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission has taken the health insurance conversation a step higher with the third product called Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) for all public servants in Ondo State.”The Governor stressed.
Governor Akeredolu revealed that a fourth health insurance scheme known as Sunshine Health Insurance Scheme (SUNSHIS) for the informal sector will also commence in the nearest future to cover artisans, market women, commercial transport operators
“Finally, please be assured that the State Government’s percentage contribution and the premium deductions from public servants’ salaries to the Orange Health Insurance Scheme shall not wane.
Furthermore, a fourth health insurance scheme known as Sunshine Health Insurance Scheme (SUNSHIS) for the informal sector that makes up about 95% of our population shall also commence in the nearest future to cover artisans, market women, commercial transport operators etc.
“I am also aware that pensioners and students shall have their own scheme too. This means that every resident of Ondo State will be brought into the safety net of the Universal Health Coverage.” He said.