Oyo residents to pay N650 monthly for health insurance

The Oyo State health insurance scheme was launched on Thursday, with residents to subscribe for N200 while they pay N650 monthly to access health care services in the state’s hospitals.

Pregnant women and children under 5years are however to access health care free of charge with government bearing the payable premium.

The scheme launched by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, in Ibadan, on Thursday, covers treatment of malaria, Typhoid, Acute Respiratory tract infection, Diarrhea, Urinary tract infection and some sexually transmitted diseases.

The health scheme also takes care of hospital admissions up to 21 days, surgical cases, appendicectomy, Orthopedic cases, Rheumatism, Operative delivery and eye problems.

In his remarks, Ajimobi noted that the insurance scheme would ensure that all classes of the society get affordable health care.

He expressed optimism that the scheme will also engender measurable improvement in the quality of health and health indices of the state.

According to Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Sola Akande, the scheme promotes a standard plan with benefit package that covers over 90% of the disease pattern in communities.

He added that 627 health workers would be engaged while local government health facilities will have more than one medical officer.

Commissioner of Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan stated that efforts to revamp the state’s health sector such as endowment fund and resolve to set up cardiovascular centre, was to reduce maternal mortality to the barest minimum.