700 Pensioners Benefit From OSHIA, Rotary Club Free Surgery, Medical Care

• Adeleke Pledges To End Japa Syndrome

By Timileyin Balogun

No fewer than 700 pensioners enrolled under the Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA) benefitted from a free surgery organised in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Osogbo GRA, Ilorin, and Eclubone USA.

The programme began with the screening of patients last week before the surgery commenced on Tuesday.

Flagging off the programme at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke restated his administration’s commitment to providing citizens of the state with qualitative healthcare.

Adeleke said since the enrolment of over 23,000 pensioners in the state health insurance scheme kicked off earlier this month, the project has yielded positive feedback from the senior citizens.

Assuring the senior citizens of the upgrade of their welfare, the governor also reiterated his desire to eliminate the ‘JAPA Syndrome’ of medical practitioners from the state.

He said: “Our government has been innovating on all fronts, issuing programmes and policies to ease the burden of our people. 

“In fulfillment of our campaign promises to bring good health services to our people, we have not only stepped up our healthcare facilities in terms of equipment and personnel, we have also brought on board programmes for citizens to enjoy free healthcare services. 

“Recently, we gave the directive to enroll all pensioners in the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) FREE OF CHARGE, the first of its kind in this country. I am happy to tell you that the 23,000 pensioners in the state have started receiving free healthcare services throughout the state from 1st February this year. OHIS has reported to me the smooth take off and positive response of these pensioners.

“We know there are still demands but let me assure you that our government is concerned about your welfare and will do the needful to eliminate “JAPA syndrome” in Osun State.”

In his address at the event, the Executive Secretary, Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr. Rasaq Akindele appealed to well meaning individuals to enroll less privileged in the scheme.

Akindele explained that although the projection was 300, over 700 pensioners with varying needs were attended to.

“We have collaboration with Rotary international that is hosted by Rotary club of Osogbo GRA, and because they have similar goals as our Governor, we collaborated that we are going to provide free surgical services and medical services for pensioners  in Osun State.

“We intended to attend to about 300 people but we have answered over 700 people and they are not going to pay a dime for this.

“I want to plead with people that are well to do in the state that instead of spending money on frivolous things, let us take que from what the Governor is doing, let us try and enroll people into this scheme.”

Representatives of the Rotary International Club Osogbo GRA, Ilorin and Eclubone (U.S.A.) expressed their readiness to further spread the initiative aimed at touching lives and facilitating the required medical need for the elderly in the society.