Osun Health Insurance Scheme Passes Second Reading

By Israel Afolabi

The State of Osun House of Assembly has said, it would ensure the speedy passage of the State Health Insurance Scheme Bill 2017, as the bill passed the second reading before the parliament.

Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam stated this through the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adegboye Akintunde while speaking at the plenary when the bill was further considered at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo.

The bill which had been read for the first time was further considered as it was extensively debated on the floor of the House.

Presenting the policy thrust of the bill, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Dejo Osuolale described the scheme as the best to happen in Osun particularly in the health sector.

The lawmaker who enumerates the benefits accruable to people from the scheme, urged the parliament to expedite action on its consideration with a view to passing it into law.

He made it known that with the passage of this bill, it would help health service to go round the citizen of the state.

However, the chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Leke Ogunsola provided more information on the basic issues involved and the merits derivable from the scheme.

According to him, “the scheme is in line with the health policy of the State Government with desire for provision of health care delivery to all”.

He maintained that the scheme would not only provide more money for health care delivery, but would ensure even distribution of health services across the state.

He added that the bill is very crucial and has social economic goals if passed into law, while stressing that it will reduce health burden of the citizen.

Meanwhile, reacting to the presentations of the lawmakers, Adegboye stated that the Assembly would always align itself with legislation that would serve the interest of the people.

He directed that the bill, be committed to the joint house committee on health and judiciary to work further on it and report back in the next one week.

Earlier, in their separate remarks, the cross section of lawmakers have corroborated the views expressed by the Deputy Leader and the Chairman House Committee on health with respect to the benefits of the scheme.

They however concurred on the need for speedy passage of the bill as they enjoined the relevant joint committees to expedite action on it.

In another development, the House directed authorities of Local Government, Local Council Development Areas, Council Areas and Administrative Offices to furnish it with their statement of Account since inauguration to date.

The documents according to the directive should not be later than Tuesday 17th of July 2018. The same goes for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government who are also requested to submit their midyear budget performance report to the House soonest.