The Director-General, Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin has declared that reasonable of pregnant women and children under five years have benefitted from the health insurance package of the state government.
He advised residents of the state to key into the various products of the commission in order to attain universal health coverage (UHC) in the state.
The DG also assured that the package for public servants and informal sector will be rolled out by the commission before the end of the first quarter of year 2022.
Oyeneyin spoke on Monday while giving his opening remarks at an event with the theme; “leave no one’s health behind: invest in health systems for all” to commemorate the 2021 UHC day in Ondo.
According to him, it is important that government invest in health care provision so that residents get the required health care services at little or no cost.
He applauded the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for establishing ODCHC to safe residents of financial burden of accessing health.
Speaking on the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS), the first product of the commission, he revealed that it has 19275 enrollees; 13773 pregnant women and 5502 under five children who have benefited from it adding that the Basis Health Care Provision Fund Programme, the second equity scheme of the commission has 20360 enrollee across the state.
However, he added that the AMCHIS has recorded 142 sets of twin, four sets of triplet and a set of quadruplet
In his goodwill message, representative of State Coordinator, WHO, Adewale Moses stated that the the of the 2021 edition UHC day aimed at ensuring that all have access to health care which can only be achieved through health insurance.
He commended the state governor for his innovations in the health sector and assured of the organisation’s continuous support for the state.
Consultant on Health Insurance, Dr. Funso Ani while speaking explained that the state government is planning ahead by not leaving anyone behind through its various innovations and programmes in health and advised that all should into the state insurance scheme.
Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Bobola Babatola while stressing the need for health insurance, he described health insurance as the only way to attain UHC and called on all to key into it adding that participants should sensitise the public on the state insurance scheme.
Representative of Ondo West Local Government Chairman, Mr Arije Isaac lauded the state government for its investment in the health sector especially the establishment of the ODCHC.
Speaking earlier, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Adesoji noted that the goal of UHC is to ensure that people have access to essential and qualitative health services without ensuring financial hardship
He explained that the state has put in place unfettered access to qualitative health care at affordable cost through ODCHC which according to him is in line UHC for citizens.
He listed some achievements of government towards attaining UHC in the state to include; establishment of a standard teaching hospital with complexes in Akure and Ondo, taken delivery of a state of the art medical equipment and the establishment of the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodities’ Management Agency for improved accountability and transparency in the supply chain management of drugs and health commodities in health facilities in the state.
Some beneficiaries including pregnant women expressed appreciation to Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his good work in the health sector noting that they have received free treatment under the scheme.
According to Mrs Awosika; “The governor has done well. I was very sick not quite long and I visited the hospital and was treated free of charge.”
A pregnant Woman, Ademola Iyanuoluwa explained that she has been enjoying free service in health facilities.
According to her; “This is my second pregnancy. I enjoyed free medical treatment during my first pregnancy and now that I am pregnant again, it has been free all the way. Nothing has been collected from me since I started visiting the health facility.”
