Ogun State to implement health insurance in informal sector

The Ogun State Government has said the implementation of universal health coverage within its domain will start with the informal sector so as to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and increase access to quality health care irrespective of socioeconomic status.

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The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker said this in a statement on Thursday.

She was cited to have said this amid the pre-inauguration press briefing of the state’s informal sector health insurance scheme in Abeokuta.

Coker said said it was sad that individuals spend a high proportion of their wage on health care which numerous may not afford, saying the result of out-of-pocket use was poor health results such as high maternal and under-five mortality rates as well as a ineffectively used health service.

She said, “According to the National Health Account of 2017, no fewer than 76.6 per cent of Nigerians pay out-of-pocket for their health care expenditure. Of particular note are the vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children under five and elderly who do not have the means to pay for the healthcare they need.

“The present administration in Ogun State having understood the prevailing economic constraints in the country is aligning with the global and national agenda of pursuing the goal of Universal Health Coverage by the year 2025, thereby establishing the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.

“The Ogun State Health Insurance Agency will be responsible for mobilising financial resources for the scheme, pooling of risks, purchase of health care services for the beneficiaries and performing general oversight functions.”

The Commissioner expressed that the fundamental advantage of the scheme would cut across both preventive and curative health administrations, taking into cognisance the prevailing local morbidity and mortality profile, counting pre and post-natal care as well as normal delivery.

She stated that access to basic health care would be through public and private facilities offering primary health care services.

“Our prospective clients can start registering for the scheme at different locations through the OGSHIA website, the designated third-party administrators and Primary Health Centres in their communities across the twenty Local Government Areas of the state,” 

“There shall be a clearly defined procedure for registering enrolees as well as a form of identification, including membership and insurance card to assist in identification of members at the point of care.

Martha M/ Punch