The training of medical personnels, provision of drugs, localising of health insurance scheme in the state are all steps taken by the government of the State of Osun towards the launching of the Osun Social Insurance Health Scheme (OSHIS).
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa during a one day sensitisation meeting with media practitioners in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Speaking further, the commissioner stated that the state health insurance scheme which is now fully functional is established so that its benefits and advantages would be enjoyed by both the indigenes and residents of the state.
“The scheme was established for the sake and purpose of everybody in the state as its coverage is universal.
“Nobody is excluded from the scheme for any reason. It is for everybody to access.
The commissioner also revealed that modalities had been put in place to ensure that the scheme enjoys all round success and that people which it was meant for would access it.
In his opening remark, the Special Adviser to the governor on Health, Dr. Gbenga Oyinlola stated that the need for the sensitisation meeting arose as a result of creating awareness as to the kick off of the health insurance scheme in the state.
He noted that the health insurance scheme when accessed by everybody would be an avenue to make healthy living realisable in the state.
According to him, “the need for universal health coverage for all is irrespective of class, status and gender”.
“For the State of Osun, one of the modalities of grading good health is through the health insurance scheme and media sensitisation is very important because people will know the benefits of the programme as it gets to the public sphere”.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Osun Social Health Insurance Scheme (OSHIS), Dr. Niyi Oginni stated that the idea behind the scheme was to start a process that will make health services universally available to all and sundry in the state.
“The scheme would be operated on equity where those who do not have money can have access to quality health services and we want it to succeed so that Osun will be an example to emulate”.