OGUN, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency,(OHIA) Dr Olusola Akande says he has introduced a health insurance scheme aimed at improving healthcare delivery in the state.
Akande disclosed this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while speaking with journalists at a media dialogue.
Akande said the state government is determined to get everyone enrolled on the scheme to make healthcare delivery not only accessible but affordable for the people in the state, particularly the children and women.
He said the state aims at getting as many people as possible on health insurance leaving no one behind, including the poor, the rich, the rural and urban dwellers.
The programme Themed: “Changing the narrative on Child Mortality through Health Insurance,” was organised by United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme for journalists drawn from various media.
READ ALSO: Nurses Sue Council, Health Minister Over New Certificate Verification Guidelines
Akande noted that the health insurance scheme warranted provision of amenities at various health facilities which led to increased utilisation of the facilities by the residents after the hospitals were upgraded to standard.
While speaking, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Ijeoma Agbo called on all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure universal health coverage so as to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.
She said that health insurance brings financial protection to people by reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenses by individuals and families.
She also noted that health insurance facilitates* equitable distribution of healthcare resources and promotes equity by ensuring that quality healthcare services are accessible to all persons, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location.
She charged government to invest more in the primary health care system, saying that approach would be affordable to all and benefit packages
READ ALSO: Lagos Mulls Pro-Health Levy on SSBs To Boost Public Health
“Individuals with health insurance are more likely to seek timely medical care, leading to early detection and treatment of illnesses.
“Achieving universal health care requires a multi-sectoral and collaborative approach, involving government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, the private sector, communities and the media,” she said.
Agbo also said that inadequate funding, limited awareness about health insurance and its benefits, infrastructural gaps in health care, among others were some of the challenges of health insurance.
UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor appealed to journalists to educate people on the importance and benefits of enrolling for a health insurance programme.
Ejiofor said access to health insurance plays an important role in ensuring that children receive timely healthcare they need to survive, thrive and become whoever they wish to be in life.