Kogi Government inaugurates Interim Board to pilot Health Insurance »

….says scheme, response to collective failures of previous administration in the health sector.

Kogi State Government on Thursday inaugurated the interim board for the State’s Health Insurance Agency with a bid to drastically reduce pocket expenditure on health care services for residence and citizens of the state.

The State Governor, Yahaya Bello who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Edward Onoja affirmed that the Health insurance scheme was a positive response to the collective failures of past administration in the health sector of the state.

Governor Bello asserted that the Health sector which ranks second in the New Direction thematic blueprint has remained a vocal point in the administration through several people-oriented initiatives like the Health Care Plus, Bello Health Intervention, Sustainable Drug Supply System, Kogi State Free Medical Outreach and the Health Insurance as the latest enlistment.

The Governor mentioned that in the past few months, the resultant effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of social economic hardship and poverty which was affecting mostly the poorest and vulnerable.

He submitted that the state through the inauguration had further deepened its commitment to the global Sustainable Development Agenda to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

The Commissioner for health, Dr. Saka Haruna stated that the establishment of the Health insurance after over two decades of the state’s existence was a strong indication that the New Direction Government of Gov. Bello was building a great future and a long lasting legacy.

Dr. Saka opined that there was no better time to bring up such initiative than now as people are currently vulnerable with access to Health care services becoming highly expensive.

He reiterated that the scheme would no doubt benefit those with financial distress as it would provide succor for the lives of many citizens.

The Agency has Mr. Abubakar Babamaji, permanent secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Health as Chairman, Dr. Aledare Adekunle as Secretary.
Jimoh Mohammed Adinoyi, Member. Comrade Onuh Edoka, Member, amongst others.