To ensure expanded health insurance coverage across all sectors in Ondo State, the State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) has set an ambitious target to enroll one million residents into its health insurance scheme by the year 2027.
The Director-General, ODCHC, Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin disclosed this while giving his remarks at a press conference tagged; “Ondo State Contributory Health Commission six years of transforming health care: Advancing Universal Health Coverage in Ondo State” in Akure on Tuesday
He noted that the commission has already impacted many lives through a range of innovative health insurance schemes. These include the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (Abiyamo Scheme), designed for pregnant women and children; the Basic Healthcare Provision Programme (Ilera-loro Scheme), which targets vulnerable populations; and the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), which caters to both the formal and informal sectors of the state.
Commenting on its achievements in six years, he said; “Abiyamo Scheme has recorded over 55,557 beneficiaries (pregnant women and children below 5 years of age). Over 18,305 babies have been delivered with 5,107 being through Cesarean section. We have 436 twins, 11 triplets and 2 quadruplets.
“From October 2021, we have enrolled 82,662 Vulnerables across 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the state under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP ‘Ilera Loro’ Scheme). The vulnerables consists of Widows, Elderly, Women of reproductive age group and children under 5 years. Notably, we have covered 203 Orphans, 2517 people with disabilities and 404 Sickle cell warriors. Medical services including renal dialysis (18 Beneficiaries currently have regular sessions) have been provided with over 1368 intermediate and major surgeries performed so far.
For Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), till date, 103,738, enrollees (Public servants and their dependants) currently have access to medical care in their chosen hospitals and over 1368 surgeries have been performed in less than 3 years.”
He commended the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his commitment to healthcare transformation, exemplified by the “OUR EASE” mantra, which he said has propelled ODCHC to new heights, adding that the inauguration of ORANGHIS for the informal sector and support for infrastructure upgrades is a testament to unimaginable transformation he wishes to bring to the state.
While appealing to residents to key into informal sector ORANGHIS to prevent financial hardship while seeking qualitative healthcare services, he noted that under the hospital intervention programme, five providers including UNIMETHC Akure (Now FUTA Teaching Hospital), UNIMEDTHC Laje; State Specialist Hospital, Ondo; State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa; and State Specialist Hospital, Akure have state -of -the -art health insurance buildings.
He assured of partnership with the State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency to ensure affordable, quality drugs and supporting the hospitals through its corporate social responsibility, adding that “our 24/7 Contact Center shall go live effective from July 1,2025 to provide support services to enrollees.
“Hospital Intervention programme shall be extended to all our government hospital across the 18 Local Government areas of the state.”He said
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Micheal Odimayo while noting that the commission has greatly impacted on the state described it as one of the major pride of the state.
Odimayo who reiterated government’s commitment to the health and well-being of citizens stated that government has strengthened the State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency to ensure the availability of qualitative drugs, adding that the state emergency services and ambulance services will soon begin operation for effective health care delivery.
He called on residents to support government to enjoy good governance,assuring that they make meaningful contributions to improve the scheme.
In his goodwill message, Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr. Christopher Ogunlana applauded the governor for his good work in the health sector, calling on the commission to put in efforts in the area of coverage.
Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Richard Adesoji while congratulating the commission on the occasion assured of more support for the commission.
Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu while noting the importance of insurance in health care services explained that government through the commission has removed financial barrier from accessing qualitative health care in the state.
Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board (HMB), Dr. Ayodele Adiji assured of more support for the commission.
Chairman, Ondo State Internal Revenue Services, Adebayo Rojugbokan assured of support in ensuring the survival of the scheme.
Representative of the organised labour, Comrade Musa Samuel lauded government for putting the commission in place in ensuring the availability of quality drugs in health facilities in the state noting that “Health insurance scheme is getting better in the state.”
Other stakeholders graced the occasion including the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Drug and Health Commodities Management Agency, Dr. Amos Ayegbusi, among others.
