…..We’re proud of Ondo Health Insurance Scheme ‘ORANGHIS’ —Aiyedatiwa
By: Oluwatosin Olusola
States in Southwest region of Nigeria have converged on Akure, the Ondo State Capital to brainstorm on how to attain universal health coverage through a strengthened health insurance scheme for the people of the geopolitical zone.
The Southwest Regional Health Insurance Conference organized by the DAWN Commission, has in attendance representatives from Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti and the host Ondo State.
Declaring open the conference, with a theme: “ATTAINING UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE THROUGH A STRENGTHENED HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME”, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa described it as not only timely but also deeply relevant to the aspirations of the Southwest people.
Aiyedatiwa who represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Prof Simidele Odimayo, who said access to good healthcare service is the bedrock of any prosperous society, stressing that health insurance also provide platform for affordable and quality healthcare hence the conference was held at the right time.
The Governor said, “As a government, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact that lack of access to health care service can have on our people.
“Over the past few years, Ondo State has made significant progress in the health sector. We have revitalized our primary health centers, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and launched innovative programmes such the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme and ORANGHIS for both the formal and informal sector. Our state’s health insurance Commission has made giant strides in providing health insurance cover to our residents. This we are very proud of.
“However, we must acknowledge that challenges remain in the level of health insurance coverage in our country. The journey to universal health coverage is a marathon, not a sprint. We must address issues of inadequate funding, low enrollment in health insurance schemes, gaps in infrastructure, and the need for more skilled health workers.
“We must also confront the realities of poverty and inequality, which continue to limit access to quality care for many of our residents.
“For health insurance to be truly effective, it must be accessible, affordable, and trusted by our people. We must work together to address barriers to enrollment, particularly among those in the informal sector, rural communities, and vulnerable groups. We must ensure that the benefit package is comprehensive and that services are delivered promptly and with dignity.
“I call on all stakeholders government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and our partners in the private sector-to join hands in this noble endeavor. Let us leverage the power of partnerships and innovation to expand coverage, improve service delivery, and build a health system that works for everyone.
“I am particularly grateful to the DAWN Commission for its leadership in promoting regional integration and shared prosperity. Your support and collaboration have been instrumental in driving progress not only in Ondo State but across the Southwest region.
“I wish to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Ondo State Government to achieving universal health coverage. We will continue to invest in our health system, strengthen our health insurance schemes, and work tirelessly to ensure that every resident can access the care they need, when they need it and where they need it,” Aiyedatiwa said.
In his address, the Social Policy Manager of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria, Mohammed Okorie urged government at all levels to fund their Health Insurance Scheme to be able to cater for the health of the children wherever they are in the region.
“For us, health insurance becomes even more important because when you get it right with health insurance, then there is the capability of getting it right with other rights of the child. For example, rights to education, and others.”
Okorie, who commended Southwest states for coming together under the DAWN Commission, noted that access to health care” is now becoming universal. It’s now beginning to transcend geographical barriers.”
On his part, the Director-General of the State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, said the state health insurance scheme had achieved a lot in the last six years of its formation.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome all distinguished government functionaries, honourable commissioners, delegates, partners and stakeholders to this very important conference being hosted by the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission in collaboration with the DAWN Commission. Your presence here reflects a shared commitment to advancing health insurance coverage and Improving the wellbeing of cur people across the Southwest region.
“The theme of this conference highlights a critical goal that we all strive to achieve. It speaks to the collective responsibility we bear to ensure that quality health care is within reach of every individual, regardless of their background or means.
“As we come together over the course of this conference, we have a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore Innovative solutions that can accelerate progress toward the attainment of universal health coverage. The challenges we face are complex, but through collaboration and determination, they are surmountable.
“The Southwest states have made meaningful strides in expanding health insurance coverage and Improving health outcomes, but we recognize that more work lies ahead. This conference is a platform to deepen our understanding of the barriers to coverage, identify best practices, and strengthen partnerships that will drive sustainable change.
“I encourage all delegates to engage actively, ask probing questions, and contribute to knowledge. Your insights are invaluable as we seek to build a health insurance system that is accessible, affordable, and trusted by all our people,” Oyeneyin said.
The DG opined that, “the Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), till date, 103,738, enrollees (Public servants and their dependants) currently have access to medical care in their chosen hospitals and over 1368 surgeries have been performed in less than 3 years.
Also speaking at the conference, Abiodun Oladipo, Head of Programmes, DAWN Commission, explained the rationale behind the gathering, “DAWN Commission has convened this roundtable because we recognize that the path to Universal Health Coverage should not be walked alone by individual states.
“While each of our Southwest states have made commendable progress in implementing State Health Insurance Schemes, we have also observed that our collective impact can be exponentially greater when we harmonize our efforts, share our experiences, and leverage our combined strengths.
“This gathering is a strategic convergence of minds, resources, and political will. We have brought together the key architects of health policy in the Region—Commissioners who shape health agendas, CEOs and Directors of State Health Insurance Agencies who implement life-changing programs, and technical experts who provide the knowledge foundation for our decisions,” Oladipo noted.
