Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Human Services , Dr Oyebanji Filani said more than 429,000 residents of Ekiti State have accessed the State Government’s free medical services through its “Ulerawa Health Insurance Programme”.
The Commissioner who made this known in Ado-Ekiti while featuring on “Ekiti Loni/Ekiti Today, a live audience participation programme on radio, explained that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the State Ulerawa Health Insurance are two main health interventions in the state that have been offering free health care under the Governor Biodun Oyebanji led Administration in the State
According to him, the programmes offer free services, including malaria treatment, immunization, maternal and child health services, family planning, nutrition, HIV, and tuberculosis care across 177 health centres in the state while serious cases presented at the centres are referred to secondary and tertiary institutions for further treatment.
The Commissioner disclosed that over 700 residents are scheduled for free surgeries in the next three months, covering procedures such as appendectomies, cataract surgeries, and fibroid removals.
He stressed that this free surgical initiative underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare access for underserved and financially disadvantaged residents.
The Commissioner noted that as part of efforts to improve service delivery in public health facilities in the State,the Government had organized training for health staff, commenced extensive renovations of health facilities, and aligned doctors’ pay with what obtains at the federal level to boost motivation.
Dr. Filani also commended President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the new Federal Medical Centre in Ikole-Ekiti acknowledging the relentless efforts of Governor Oyebanji in ensuring the new Tertiary Health Institution was approved for the State.
He noted that the newly established Federal Medical Centre is expected to enhance the health status of residents of the State and also boost the local economy.