Ondo govt receives $5m medical equipment to boost health sector, introduces contributory health scheme

As part of efforts to solve the types of equipment challenge facing the health sector in Ondo State, the state government has received medical equipment worth $5 million donated to the state by United States-based medical firm, Medicare.

The state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu who disclosed this in Akure, Ondo State capital, during the inspection and flagoff and distribution of the Biomedical equipment/consumables to health facilities, said the equipment would help to boost health care in the state.

Akeredolu said apart from boosting the health care sector, it would also change the way medical practice is carried out, saying some medical personnel had been trained on how to handle and manage this new equipment.

He listed some of the equipment to include: 250 electric beds, delivery bed, incubators, surgical instruments, ICU monitors among others.

He assured that all the equipment would be distributed to all the hospitals in the state, especially the health facilities at the grassroots, saying more of the equipment would soon arrive in the country.

Akeredolu said, “We are committed to providing quality health care for the people of our state. We got the multi-million dollar new medical equipment from the USA for free and we will ensure that the equipment gets to the grassroots.

“All our medical centres in the local government areas will get their share of the equipment.

“I believe this will go a long way in  addressing  the challenges we are having  in  our health centres across the state.”

Meanwhile, Akeredolu has assured that the state government will continue to treat children under age five, pregnant women and the vulnerable in the society free of charge under the new contributory health Scheme in the state.

The governor stated this during the inauguration of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, saying the aim is to reduce to the barest minimum financial barrier to qualitative health care in the state.

He said healthcare remains one of the human development indices. “Universal health coverage around the globe, and particularly in developed climes, is a norm. Health insurance, also known as contributory health, guarantees UHC.

“UHC is at the epicentre of our political and administrative ideology. We are favourably disposed to an equitable distribution of scarce resources for the health benefit of all.”

“We have conscientiously demonstrated equity by providing a platform whereby both the rich and the vulnerable can draw financial strength to cater for their health.

“This veritable platform is occasioned by the establishment of Ondo State Contributory Health Commission as well as Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme.”

According to the governor, residents shall contribute a little premium for their health while the amount shall be determined by the level of income, in the spirit of equity, justice and fairness.

“Our government shall, however, contribute to this scheme on behalf of the vulnerable in our society.

“It, therefore, means that pregnant women and under-five children shall be catered for free-of-charge under the contributory health scheme by the state government”.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro said the Contributory Health Commission was designed to be a vehicle of self-sustenance for the health care delivery inner state and remove the financial barrier to qualitative health care in the state.