Cost of healthcare delivery may hinder govt sustenance of free health services ― Ogun Commissioner

The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, has said that the increasing cost of healthcare services may hinder the government to sustain free health services.

Hence, the introduction of an informal sector health insurance scheme would make residents have access to
affordable quality health care services.

Coker made this known at the Pre-Launch press briefing on the informal sector health insurance scheme in Abeokuta.

The health commissioner said the initiative was to ensure universal qualitative and affordable health care services to all citizens, particularly the underprivileged and vulnerable while noting that the cost of health care delivery is consistently increasing globally due to continuous advancement in health services, research, newer drugs, the effect of inflation and population size.

Coker hinted that the challenges may not allow the government to sustain free health services to all citizens.

While submitting that the challenge of increase in healthcare cost by citizens would be addressed in the state with the introduction of the insurance health scheme.

She disclosed that the state is aligning with the global and international agenda of pursuing the goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2025, thus established the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme (OGSHIS),

She added that the establishment of the scheme would ensure that people, regardless of their background and socio-economic status, would access quality healthcare service and not suffer financial hardship paying for their bills.

“There are different schemes available; however in order to ensure that we start sure-footed.

“We plan to start with the Informal sector health insurance scheme, whereby innovative initiative will be employed to ensure every person in this sector is covered with health insurance.

“Our targeted group for the scheme includes transport unions: NURTW, RTEAN, Acomoran, Amoran, Market traders, Artisan unions, farmers Association, CDCs/ ACDCs/CDAs, traditional rulers, religious leaders.

“The informal sector health insurance Scheme is also geared towards taking care of vulnerable groups in the state.

“This group consists of residents of Ogun State who cannot pay for themselves but their premium shall be covered by subsidies from government, donations and grants from donors agencies.

“The vulnerable groups include, pregnant women, children under five, elderly people living with sickle cell disease, physically and mentally challenged and prison inmates,” she said.

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