By Thompson Yamput
No fewer than 76, 243 newly enrolled persons are to enjoy health insurance in Kogi as Gov. Ahmed Ododo inaugurated access to the scheme on Monday.
Ododo, who inaugurated the scheme at the Government House, Lokoja, described it as very necessary and deserving in improving the well-being of residents.
The governor said that out of the 76, 243 enrolled, 28, 056 were from the public sector, 44, 760 students and 3, 427 under pensioners contributory plan of the state
He said the agency now has over 255,000 registered beneficiaries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also commissioned the Government House Clinic, Medical equipment for Public Health Centers (PHCs) across the state and additional two Toyota Hilux vehicles for the state Health Insurance Agency under the leadership of Dr Aledare Adekunle.
Ododo said, “We are also revitalising 70 primary healthcare centres, addressing human resource challenges, and ensuring our health workers are supported with the right policies, tools, and environment.
“From today, all medical doctors working in our health facilities are to enjoy additional allowance of N300,000 beginning from October.
“We are working with our development partners, WHO, UNICEF, CIHP, AHF, Malaria Consortium, Marie Stopes International, and many to revitalise and upgrade over 200 PHCs across the state.”
He disclosed that pensioners earning below ₦50,000 monthly will enjoy free health insurance coverage, while those earning between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000 will pay only ₦625 monthly, subsidised by the state government.
“Pensioners earning above ₦100,000 will contribute only ₦1,250 monthly all in our commitment to cost-sharing strategies that can ease the burden on our people.”
He directed all political appointees to sponsor 50 persons each from their constituencies as a way of giving back to the society and improve the well-being of the people.
In his remarks, Director General, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Dr Kelechi Ohiri, commended the state for the bold step to improve well-being of its residents.
Represented by NHIA North Central Zonal Director, Adamu Abdullahi, the DG said the three targeted audience by the agency are the real people desiring care to contribute to the development of the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary. Kogi State Insurance Agency, Adekunle, disclosed that the access care will commence on Oct.1 for all new enrollees and interested residents of the state.
Adekunle said the agency has captured over 255,000 persons, whom he said, were expected to pay only N15,000 per annum to access the scheme.
He commended Ododo for breaking barriers in providing healthcare services to people of the state to improve their life expectancy and healthcare development. NAN
