Health insurance: Another first from Ajimobi

It is no longer news that many firsts have been recorded by the Oyo State Governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi. The governor was the first to win a second ticket, first civilian governor to construct a flyover, first governor to pay 13th month salary for workers three times consecutively, the first governor to introduce free transportation for workers and students, amongst others. Another first recently recorded by the governor is the introduction of Health Insurance, the first of its kind by any state government in the country. The governor launched the Oyo State Health Insurance on May 25th, 2017.
The Oyo State Health Insurance scheme (OYSHIS) is another milestone in the history of health sector in the State. The Scheme, which is an affordable and accessible health benefit plan for all citizens of the State, was signed into law by Governor Ajimobi on 1st December, 2016. This scheme is expected to define and enforce the minimum standard of health care that should be available to every citizen of the State without the need for payment at the point of accessing care when in health strikes.
Also, it is to assure quality of health care, regulation of standards, choice and the enthronement of the care seeker as king in the health care delivery system. The Agency also regulates care providers (in-conjunction with other regulations) that are accredited to provide service under the Scheme. Health Insurance is a system of advance financing of health expenditure through contributions, premiums or taxes paid into a common pool to pay for all or part of health services specified by a policy or plan.
It is of interest to note that the OYSHIS cost of enrolment is a paltry sum of N200 for registration and the monthly premium is N650 for the standard plan while pregnant women and children under the age of 5 would access it free of charge with government bearing the payable premium.
The affordability, accessibility and quality health care the scheme will offer make it imperative for all and sundry to key into it. Policies/programmes of government need the support of all to succeed. In essence, the success of the health insurance in Oyo State is for all the citizens to participate and be part of it. Also, while commending the governor for this initiative that is expected to benefit all cadres of people in the society, I join hands with him to appeal to the handlers of this scheme to put in their best to ensure its success and become a model for other state governments.
Cosmas ‘Lekan Oni
Secretariat, Ibadan.