The Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, North Central Nigeria has inaugurated a regional office for Kwara South senatorial district, as the government is prepared to increase enrollment by making the free healthcare scheme much more closer and accessible to the people of the district.
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At the commissioning ceremony, the State First Lady, Ambassador, Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said it is evident that the administration is committed to better the lot of Kwarans with particular reference to their right to enjoy quality healthcare services.
Ambassador AbdulRazaq said the outstation will provide the people with more chances to register for the insurance scheme, asking people in the catchment areas to see it as another opportunity to address their health challenges.
Represented by the Vice Chairman of Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) for Offa local government, Alhaja A’isha Raji, the First Lady called for more regional offices across the three senatorial districts of Kwara State to widen the health insurance coverage and for the benefit of the less-privileged.
She commended the agency under Dr. Jetawo-Winter for excellent performance, which she noted has been impacting the lives of people, and smoothening the implementation of the government’s health policies and programmes.
Ambassador AbdulRazaq then admonished residents in Offa and its environs to troop out en masse for registration and to stop endangering their lives with an option of self medication or patronizing quacks.
She also urged the people to avoid self medication, or visiting quack health practitioners by getting involved in a safe health practice by patronizing the office for better treatment.
In attendance were the TIC Chairman for Offa, Jare Oladotun; Executive Secretary Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter; Chief Medical Director (CMD), General Hospital Offa, Dr. Abdulsalam Olabisi, representative of the Olofa of Offa, Chief Lamidi Oladipupo Akande and a number of health workers.
In his remarks, the TIC Chairman, Jare said Kwara is gifted with a Governor with listening ears, and who is sincere and sensitive to the yearnings and aspirations of the masses, adding that the newly inaugurated office is another fulfilment of one of his campaign promises.
He said, “The gesture also speaks to the Governor’s passion and care for the downtrodden, who he said are better served under the health insurance scheme.”
The Executive Secretary, Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo- Winter, said it became imperative to open the regional office to deepen the access of Offa residents and neighbors to the free medical care, promising to extend same gesture to Kaiama, Baruten, Edu, and Irepodun local government areas.
“Through this initiative, we have plans to open 5 branch offices in Kaiama, Baruten, Edu, Offa and Irepodun LGAs of the state. Today, we are here and excited to officially open one of the first hubs in the state in the great town of Offa.This office will serve Offa, Oyun, and parts of Ifelodun, and Irepodun LGAs.
“As part of our strategies to ensure that access and availability of healthcare services are made convenient for the beneficiaries, the agency has decided to open regional hubs in areas that are much farther away from our head office in Ilorin.”
She said the agency’s staff, who will be stationed at these offices, will be responsible for advocacy, awareness creation and liaison with the head office in Ilorin to make their activities more efficient, and to make delivery of services quicker.
Dr. Jetawo- Winter assured that the agency will not relent in its efforts to ensure that the state attains a universal health coverage by making sure that every household has a health insurance cover.
Existing beneficiaries, who were in attendance, took turns to give testimony of their satisfaction about the Kwara care in their respective communities, expressing gratitude to the government for being responsive to their health needs.
Azeez Oyeniyi, an enrollee at Oluyemo primary healthcare center in Ira (Oyun), said he registered last November, and has since been receiving proper treatment when needed, commending the state government for the health intervention.
Mrs. Janet Adeogun, who registered with Ipe basic health clinic (Oyun LG), said her enrollment for the scheme has changed her health condition for better, recalling how she used to traverse a long distance before accessing medical services.
Mrs. Olabisi Rabiu, who said she gave birth to her baby at Ayaba Basic Health Center (Offa) after her enrollment, testified that she enjoyed the service at the center, and thanked the government for bringing the free medical service to their doorsteps.
