Governor Ayodele Fayose’s administration in Ekitit State has kick-started a Health Insurance Scheme (EKSHIS) in the State with the inauguration of an 18-man committee that is expected to ensure a smooth take-off and running of the scheme.
The committee, which is headed by the State Commissioner for Health as Chairman consists of members drawn from stakeholders within the public sector, Private organizations, labour unions, Traditional Rulers, civil society organizations and Health practitioners.
Speaking during the inauguration of the committee in Ado Ekiti, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo reiterated the commitment of the State Government to the provision of affordable healthcare services and to transform the health sector through wide coverage and people’s participation in order to increase life expectancy for the growth and overall development of the State.
Dr. Ojo said that the focus was to guarantee improved access to high standard healthcare delivery through adequate financial protection against unforeseen huge medical bills as well as reduction of poverty in the State by lessening out of pocket expenses on healthcare for families and individuals.
According to him, the scheme would also boost efficiency in healthcare delivery in the State as well as provide free healthcare for pregnant women and children of age five years and below.
The Commissioner noted that the greatest benefit derivable from the scheme is the ability to provide for the poor in the society though the pooling and redistribution of available resources
Tracing the genesis of the scheme to the State Health Insurance Scheme bill that was signed into law by Governor Ayodele Fayose in 2016, Ojo noted that the law made the scheme compulsory for every residents of the State and stressed the need for full participation by all stakeholders to maximise the benefits.
In his remarks, the Acting General Manager of EKSHIS Mr. Olusola Shittu, a Pharmacist who is also the Secretary to the newly inaugurated committee pledged on behalf of the committee to leave no stone unturned towards achieving the desired result.
The Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Obas, the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju who lauded the scheme, assured that traditional rulers in the State would support and ensure its success in their respective domains.
Packaged by Omotoyosi Jesuleye
