Bello Care: Kogi Gov launches health insurance program for poor, vulnerable »

“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.”. Herophilus.

With those words in mind, The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing quality healthcare to the people, particularly those in rural communities, the less privileged, and the poorest of the poor in the state.

The governor made this known today at the Government House, Lokoja, during the launch of the Bello Care Program, a healthcare initiative which aims to provide free health care to 15,000 Kogites across the state’s three senatorial districts.

Gov. Bello remarked that health is the second most important pillar of his administration, after education, and must be given top priority. He emphasized that the Bello Care program will cater for the most vulnerable in the society, and that free health care is now available to poor pregnant women, children and men captured in this phase of the program.

He stated that this initiative has addressed the fears and the agitations of the beneficiaries as all of their health concerns will be taken care of. He assured the people of the state that Bello Care will not only be limited to just health care but will extend to security and education.

The governor called on Kogi State Health Insurance Agency to carry out its mandate with high fiscal responsibility noting that the health of the people of the state would continue to be accorded the highest priority in his administration.

“We have made 100% payment for the 15,000 kogites that will benefit from this program and we have also made plans to extend this care beyond the current 15,000 beneficiaries,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aledare Adekunle, commended the interventions made by Gov Yahaya Bello in the health sector that have moved the state to the fore of Nigerian states in terms of health. He praised the Governor for such a brilliant idea which provides free health care to 15,000 Kogites, particularly the most vulnerable people in the state.

Aledare added that the Bello Care Program under the new direction government is designed to carter for the less privileged, the poorest of the poor and the Most vulnerable people in the society.

“What we are doing is in line with the vision of Governor Bello, who has an objective of ensuring that health care services are available to every citizen of the state, regardless of social status or location.”

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Zakari Usman expressed gratitude to the Governor for prioritizing the ministry and, to a large extent, the state’s health sector. He praised the Governor’s efforts, particularly in the infrastructural development of health facilities in the state, including the construction and remodelling of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, the Referral Hospital in Okenne, and many others.

The Commissioner maintained that the Bello Care Program will help to improve the health of the citizens of the state while also bridging the gap of inequality. He assured that the Initiative would reach out to the most vulnerable in the society.