The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable and accessible healthcare for residents by reviewing the operational guidelines and benefit package of the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA).
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, revealed this at a 3-Day workshop in Ijebu-Ode, that the workshop was dedicated to review process, the importance of assessing the agency’s existing operational guidelines, particularly with input from key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, development partners, community leaders and the beneficiaries.
Dr. Coker noted that, the guidelines and benefit package were formulated in 2021, the landscape of the health sector in Nigeria and the needs of residents had changed, adding that a comprehensive review of the document was necessary.
“Our main focus here is the beneficiaries because they are the end users. We are working tirelessly to ensure that no life is lost due to lack of access to quality healthcare. Currently, we have 386 health facilities and 42 Third-Party Administrators across the Local Government Areas in the state. This meeting will go a long way in strengthening our partnership with various stakeholders, helping to deliver quality health insurance to our people,” she stated.
The Commissioner added that the review initiative aligns with the government’s developmental strides in improving access to healthcare, service delivery and ensuring quality for all enrollees.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary (OGSHIA), Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu, said the health insurance in the State had witnessed, considerable growth with the implementation of the insurance schemes for the formal and informal sectors as well as the introduction of insurance targeted at the vulnerable.
He appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun, for his commitment to the healthcare of residents of the state through the health insurance scheme, saying the state was already on its path to sustainable health financing and universal health coverage.
In his goodwill message, the State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Agency, Otunba Oluwadare Adefeso, said the review would focus on expanding the range of services covered under the scheme, improve the quality of care in participating facilities and promote equity and affordability as essential tools for poverty reduction.
In his remark, the State Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners, Dr. Kayode Oyelade, represented by Dr. Kehinde Sowole, urged policymakers, healthcare providers, and enrollees to collaborate in ensuring that the outcome of the review benefits all stakeholders.
