Oyetola Approves N150 Million Grants For Take-off Of Health Insurance Operations —Dr Oginni

The Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), Dr Niyi Ogini, on Monday said Osun government has approved the release of take- off grants of N150 million to ensure effectiveness in health insurance operation in the State.

Ogini who made this known to newsmen in Osogbo , said ,the current administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola had also ensure that provisions for equitable grants from State, Local Government Areas (LGAs) and (LCDAs) is been captured in the 2019 Budget of Hope of the State.

He said, ” The grants would be used for the establishment of Osun Health Insurance Business and Zonal offices across the 68 Local Government Areas(LGAs) and the Local Council Development Authorities ( lcdas).

” Also, employment of ad-hoc personel, provision of operational vehicles, conduct of vulnerable research and enrollment of the vulnerable population among others.

” Instalment of necessary ICT infracstructure for Health insurance operation as well as conduct advocacy and sensitisation of different sectors of population with capacity building, ” Ogini said.

According to him, ” The state government had released the circular for the commencement of deduction of premium of 1.5 percent of basic salary of public servants and also 3 percent contribution of government to public servants premium which is to be prepared with their salaries.

He noted that the essence of the deduction was to ensure that residence have equitable access to healthcare services and also adequate distribution of health facilities within the State.

Oginni advised civil servants in the state to go get the enrollment form which would be provided by the agency in order to benefit from the health scheme .

He added that quality healthcare is the basic right of the citizenry which they must not be denied, adding that the scheme would help to protect against financial risks.

” The system would ensure that the cost of using the services does not put people at the risk of financial harm, ” he said.

The Executive Secretary said the Informal Sector participants would pay an affordable premium of N12,066 per year while N57,600 per year would also cover for a O’HIS family plan.

He said the mode of informal sector contribution would be made flexible in a way to encourage maximum participation in the scheme.

Speaking on the benefit of establishing SSHIS, the Executive Secretary, said the scheme would ensure that all residents of the state have access to effective , qualitative and affordable health services.

He added that it would serve as avenue to garner more money for health from the formal and informal sector with lesser burden on the government and to guarantee that the mine spent procures better quality of health services for the people

Oginni, however, said religious bodies and other philanthropists would be given opportunity to contribute to the State health fund by paying premium for population to have access to needed care.