Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, revealed that over 13,000 retirees will be eligible for free medical care across the entire federation.
The governor said this on Wednesday, November 8th, during the formal flag-off ceremony for pension registration and enrollment in the Osun Health Insurance Scheme, which took place at the Osun Local Government Service Commission in Abeere, Osun state.
The governor, his deputy, commissioners, OSHA employees, permanent secretaries, special advisers, and pensioners were all present for the occasion in large numbers.
Speaking to the crowd, the governor said that the program clearly shows how committed he is to the welfare of retirees who have worked for the state.
‘Our administration conducted a review on the pensioners scheme and we saw that it was not only funds they lack but they also lack free healthcare. It was at this point that we decided to address this course. This is a direct intervention to prove that this administration is concerned about the health of the pensioners. All the pensioners will be enrolled for free’, he added.
While asserting that the care of senior citizens is his first concern, Adeleke also urged the seniors to sign up for the program.
Dr. Razak Akintunde, the executive secretary of OHIS, stated during his welcoming speech that although the agency has registered over 13,000 pensioners in the last two days, its real goal is 23,000, which will be attained by the end of registration.
We also intend to give 20000 vulnerable access to this healthcare program but that will be done after the pensioners enrollment, he added.
The National Union of Pensioners’ Chairman, Mr. Saliu Ganiyu, commended the governor for appointing some pensioners to boards and expressed his gratitude to the state government for the OHIS enrollment.
Similar to this, a representative of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Pastor Olalekan Falode revealed that the authority has noticed the governor’s influence during his brief stint in office. He praised the initiative and expressed hopes for its continued success.
During his speech, the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Barrister Jola Akintola, congratulated all the recipients and stated that the program was the first of its kind.
The governor of Osun State had stated that free medical outreach will take place on a quarterly basis, and we have completed the first and second phases of this program. Health workers in the state have never gone on strike since Governor Ademola Adeleke took office. For the interest of the populace, the state council of health will shortly restore 24-hour health care,” he continued.
