Gov. Bello Flag off enrollment of beneficiaries on State Health Insurance scheme »

…says no one should die due to lack of access to affordable, quality health care.

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello on Friday flagged off the commencement of enrollments of beneficiaries across the state on the State Health Insurance Scheme.

The Governor at the event expressed that no individual’s life should be lost over lack of access to affordable and quality health care services.

Governor Bello affirmed that access to quality health care is enshrined as a fundamental human right of every citizen of the country and his administration which has health care as one of its core thematic area was determined to secure such right by law and policy.

He noted that the health insurance scheme was envisioned to provide quality and affordable health care service for the people and the future plan of his administration was to achieve Universal Health Coverage (Health for all) and the commencement of the health insurance was a pathway towards achieving this goal.

The governor expressed that the people’s re election of their mandate must not be disappointed hence they must do more.

He said his administration was investing heavily into the health sector stating that the on going reference hospital in Okene, when completed would compete favorably in all standard with global standard of health care services.

He pointed out that the state Government was also engaged in several projects across the states like at the General Hospital, Ajaokuta, specialist Hospital in lokoja, Gegu Beki and other places which when work was completed the hope of offering quality and affordable health service would be heightened.

In his opening remark, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Adekunle Aledare expressed that Kogi State under the leadership of Governor Bello was the first to have a functional health insurance scheme to cater for its Formal, informal sector and the vulnerable in the society.

He added that about 31,000 persons across the 239 wards of the state, numbering 131 persons per ward would benefit from the basic health care provision funds that currently being disbursed.

The commissioner for health, Dr. Saka Haruna explained that the high out of pocket cost of health care which stood alarmingly at 78% necessitated the set up of the scheme which would serve as a paradigm shift from unaffordable healthcare service, to a very sustainable affordable one.

Stakeholders at the event, including the Kogi State Primary Health Care, Organised labor, women and others in their separate goodwill messages lauded the initiative and described it as a welcomed development.

While Speaking on behalf of organized labour, Comrade Meliga Obaka described the health insurance scheme as the governor’s baby noting that the formal sector were fully in support as they have been made to be aware of the several benefits of the scheme.

He also lauded the contributions of political office holders whom he said were making a huge sacrifice as a show of their support at ensuring the take off of the scheme.