IKENNE LG LAUNCHES FREE HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, ENROLLS RESIDENTS FOR ONE-YEAR COVERAGE
IKENNE LG LAUNCHES FREE HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME, ENROLLS RESIDENTS FOR ONE-YEAR COVERAGE
The Ikenne Local Government has commenced the distribution of free health insurance cards to residents under an initiative introduced by the Chairman, Hon. Asimi Muhammad Jamiu, to improve access to affordable healthcare within the community.
The programme, held at the Ikenne Local Government Secretariat, brought together residents who were registered under the health insurance scheme and subsequently received their cards for use at health facilities.
Speaking at the programme, Hon. Asimi explained that the initiative was conceived as part of efforts to ease the financial burden of healthcare on residents and ensure that more people can access essential medical services when needed.
Under the initiative, the Local Government is sponsoring health insurance coverage for about half a million beneficiaries, with the Chairman providing the funding for the annual insurance premium. The coverage is for one year, during which registered beneficiaries can access healthcare services covered by the scheme.
The health insurance package, provided through the Ogun State Health Insurance Authority (OGSHIA), covers a wide range of primary and secondary healthcare services.
According to the benefit package presented at the programme, primary healthcare services include general consultation, treatment of common illnesses and infections, malaria, diarrhoeal diseases, gastroenteritis, helminthiasis, malnutrition, peptic ulcer disease, sickle cell disease, simple injuries, treatment of vaginal infections, upper respiratory tract infections, urinalysis and other listed services.
The package also includes primary laboratory investigations such as malaria parasite tests, packed cell volume, fasting and random blood sugar tests, urinalysis and pregnancy tests.
At the secondary healthcare level, beneficiaries are entitled to services including specialist consultations, hospital admission, appendectomy, caesarean section, blood transfusion within the specified limit, treatment of complicated respiratory tract infections and typhoid fever, diabetes management, emergency care, physiotherapy, routine antenatal care, management of pregnancy-related complications, severe malaria, neonatal care and other covered medical services.
The package further provides for selected laboratory and radiological investigations, including blood grouping and genotype testing, full blood count, urine microscopy, liver and kidney-related investigations, chest and other X-rays, abdominal and obstetric ultrasound, as well as other listed investigations.
Speaking on the implementation of the scheme, the Executive Secretary of OGSHIA, Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu, explained that beneficiaries would use the insurance card at health facilities to access services covered under the package.
He noted that where a beneficiary requires treatment beyond the capacity of the initial health centre, the patient can be referred to a higher-level hospital, with the appropriate code generated to facilitate the referral and access to further care.
The Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Afolabi Abosede Deborah, also highlighted the importance of the initiative to the community, noting that the programme would help improve residents’ access to healthcare while reducing the financial burden associated with seeking medical attention.
She commended the Local Government Chairman for investing in the health and welfare of residents and described the initiative as an important intervention that could strengthen healthcare access within the community.
Beneficiaries at the programme expressed appreciation for the initiative, with residents collecting their insurance cards after completing the registration process.
The initiative is expected to provide registered beneficiaries with access to covered healthcare services for one year, using the insurance cards issued to them at participating health facilities.
The Ikenne Local Government administration says the programme forms part of its efforts to improve the welfare of residents and promote wider access to healthcare across the community.
