Over 100,000 Enrolled In Kwara’s Health Insurance Scheme

The executive secretary of the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KW-HIA), Dr Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, has said the agency has  registered more than 100,000 residents in the state’s health insurance scheme.

She said the beneficiaries of the scheme cut across students, people in the informal sector, persons living with disabilities, journalists, both serving and retired; and private organisations, among other categories.

Jetawo-Winter said Kwara continues to witness donor support in the health sector under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration because of the government’s investments in the sector.

“Today, we have more than 100,000 beneficiaries enjoying health (insurance) in the state, starting from students in our tertiary institutions, the informal sector, private organisations, with all civil servants and their families joining it very soon,” she said in Ijomu Oro, in Irepodun local government, at an engagement, which the agency organised in collaboration with the European Union (EU-SARAH Initiative).

“In the last few years, Kwara has continued to witness unprecedented donor support in our health sector to serve different population segments such as under-5 children, young women and pregnant mothers, the physically challenged, those living with different diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and many more. One of such support is the EU-SARAH initiative, being powered by the European Union with technical assistance from UNICEF and UNFPA.

“The accomplishments of the Kwara State Health Insurance Agency and the scheme under this administration have made Kwara State more attractive to the support from international donor organisations,” she said.

She added:” Last week, the team interacted with the people of Afon, Reke, and Aboto-oja communities in Asa local government on the need to enrol in the scheme.

“This target population is the future of any society, but often times neglected or forgotten. So, it is a deliberate attempt to crush infant, neonatal, and maternal deaths in our dear state.

Jetawo- Winters  explained that 15,000 out of the target population – supported through EU-SARAH Initiative – will get free access to quality healthcare services for the next few years at healthcare facilities close to where they live.

She commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s commitment to the infrastructural development and manpower of medical facilities, adding: “From primary healthcare centres to tertiary hospitals, our Governor is intentional about the health and safety of the citizens.”

The Oloro of Oro kingdom, Oba Joel Oyatoye Titiloye ll, was represented at the event by the Eesa of Oro, High Chief Samuel Taiye, while  Baale Ijomu Oro, High Chief Matthew Ademola and High Samuel Oguniyi were also present.

Oloro of Oro, Oba Titiloye, appealed to the people of the community to embrace the programme which offers health care services at an affordable cost.

He commended the governor’s passionate drive for development, particularly in the health sector, asking  all citizens to continue to support the government.

Former commissioner for Information in the state, Alh Raheem Adedoyin lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for various developmental initiatives across all key sectors.

While imploring people to enrol in the programme, Adedoyin  said the partnership of EU-SARAH with the state health insurance agency was in recognition of the government’s huge investment in the health sector.