…Health Insurance now mandatory, says OYSHIA Executive Secretary
By Rotimi Idris
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has become expedient in the country to enable every citizens have equal access to health insurance without suffering financial hardship.
An Health Specialist of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Dr Ijeoma Agbo advocated for a strengthened family health care system in order to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Importance of Universal Health Coverage
Speaking at a two-day Media Dialogue on “Changing the Narrative on Child Mortality Through Health Insurance Scheme”, organised by the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) in collaboration with UNICEF, Dr Agbo said strong family health care system is essential as it is the only system that offers minimum level of health care service delivery to average Nigerians.
Her words, “We should lay emphasis on the word universality, that word is showing equity in the sense that everyone irrespective of where you live or your age, should have access to quality health care services.
“For any health care to be resilient, it must have very strong family health care system because that is where people get a minimum level of health care that they require.
“Imagine with the issue of hike in petrol price, look at how much people will spend just to get to the facility. Mind you, they don’t have money to pay, so they end up not going.
“There are a lot of pregnant women that can’t go to the facility but give birth at home just because they don’t have money to pay for transport. This is what we need to look into and profer solutions to”.
Health Insurance is Mandatory
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), Dr. Shola Akande, noted that health insurance has become mandatory for all Nigerians and it’s designed to reach the vulnerable and the privileged.
He cited the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022 signed by the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, as a binding act that makes it compulsory for all Nigerians.
He said, “As a matter of fact, NHIA act of 2022, signed in July 2022 by former President, Muhammadu Buhari said Health Insurance is compulsory for every citizens of Nigeria”.
Explaining the importance of universal coverage in improving the quality of life for all Nigerians, Akande posited that the policy is mandatory, accessible and cuts across all class.
According to him, there are new plans by the agency to pull more persons from the informal sector into the scheme.
“Our goals is to ensure that every citizen has access to quality health care at time they want it, in the quantum they need it and without adding injury to their pocket. The truth of the matter is that a lot of people have gone into penury because of health.
“ if your health is not doing well, you have a tendency to become poorer because every human being will spend what it can to stay alive”.
Benefits of OYSHIA
During a visit to the Staff Clinic, Secretariat, Ibadan, Dr Oyeyiola Oyelaran, who conveyed journalists on facility tour said the clinic was renovated by OYSHIA in 2021 in order to deliver quality health care services to the people in the state.
On her part, the matron of the clinic, Adaramoye Oluwayomi urged the citizens of the state to enroll as a result of the robust intervention of the scheme which has impacted lives.
“We are very close to people where they can get themselves treated. Instead of saying they want to go to UCH for treatment, they should come down here and we will treat them and they will be fine.
“The effects of Health Insurance scheme is very effective and we are enjoying it very well.
“I am imploring people to come and register because the intervention is very good”
At Oke-Aremo General Hospital, Mr Stephen Dauda, who conveyed journalists round the facilities, said a lot of equipments have been put in place such as a diagnostic centre.
He added that capitation will be introduced on monthly basis where a certain percentage of money will be deducted from beneficiaries’ account once the buildings under renovation are completed.
Also, the matron of the Hospital, Oladejo Olapeju urged citizens of the state to take the scheme seriously, stressing on the great benefits it has on the general wellbeing of the citizenry.
Enrollees relate experiences
One of the enrollees, Adetona Oreoluwa said she has enrolled for the scheme for more than two years, stressing that it has been beneficial to her family members.
While noting that a total amount of N666 is being deducted from her monthly salary, she urged the scheme to also sensitize the enrollees on their benefits.
“I have enrolled in this health insurance scheme for over two years now. The experience has been fun, medically, I have been attended to very well. My mother is also benefiting because she is under my insurance.
“They are deducting N666 per month and a year is #8000. The scheme should let the enrollees aware of what they are entitled to, so that people will not cheat them further” she said
Another enrollee, who is a civil servant at the Ministry of Agric and Rural Development Secretariat, Ibadan, Fatima Lawal hailed the scheme for its affordability to ordinary citizens, adding that the health care service delivery is top notch.
