Ogun launches formal sector health insurance scheme
The Ogun Government has launched its formal sector health insurance scheme, and offered civil servants 50 per cent subsidy.
The scheme is designed for the formal sector, comprising civil servants, public servants and workers in the Organised Private Sector (OPS).
The state Governor, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed during the launch of the scheme on Tuesday in Abeokuta that government would pay 50 per cent of the premium for every registered worker.
Abiodun, who was represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said “it is in the interest of the present administration to ensure the well-being and welfare of the engine room of the government, which is the public servants.”
On the theme of the 2024 Civil Service Week — “Building a Socially Responsive Public Service in the 21st Century: A Place of Ethics
and Values,” he said it resonates deeply with the aspirations and ideals that the present administration has for the public service.
He said “I hereby reassure public servants that their well-being will remain a priority in the government’s development agenda, as demonstrated in our payment of a N100 million counterpart fund.
“This has granted the state access to the Federal Government’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) since February 2020.”
“Also, as part of palliative support in the health sector earlier in the year, we released N310 million as equity fund to provide health insurance access to low-income residents of the state.
“Part of this facilitated the provision of free surgeries to more than 1000 residents.
“Additionally, we have released N324 million to support 3,300 pregnant women under the scheme tagged Ibidero to cover their antenatal and postnatal care, as well as a N5000 token after delivery.”
According to the governor, the success of the scheme is based a collective effort, collaboration with health officials to ensure the system is monitored and continuously improved upon.
NAN recalls that Abiodun launched the informal sector health insurance scheme in February 2022, allowing artisans, market women, traders and other residents to enjoy access to basic healthcare.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said no fewer than 80 per cent of Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for healthcare.
She added that majority of citizens are prone to the dire consequences of catastrophic health expenditure.
She encouraged residents to take advantage of both the informal and formal sector schemes.
She emphasised that the insurance schemes served as financial risk protection against undue health expenses that could plunge individuals into poverty.
The Head of Service, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, said good health is integral to the smooth and successful socio-economic endeavours of the people, underscoring the reality of the common maxim that “Health is Wealth.”
In a goodwill message, Ademola Benco, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun chapter, described the governor as “worker-friendly and conscientious of the welfare of workers.
He commended the governor for paying 50 per cent of the premium for every worker registered on the scheme.
He, however, pleaded with the government to ensure that the programme is consistent and sustainable, promising the union’s support toward the success of the scheme.
