‘Health Insurance Scheme Aiding Improvement In Healthcare Delivery System In Oyo’

The Executive Secretary, Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, (OYSHIA) Dr Olusola Akande has disclosed that the introduction of a health insurance scheme in the state has aided improvement in healthcare delivery in the state.

He disclosed this in Ibadan, Oyo State while speaking with journalists at a media dialogue with the theme “Changing the narrative on Child Mortality through Health Insurance”, organised by United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme (OYSHIA) for journalists drawn from various media.

Akande noted that the health insurance scheme warranted the provision of amenities at various health facilities which led to increased utilization of the facilities by the residents after the hospitals were upgraded to standard.

Akande said the state government is determined to get everyone enrolled in the scheme to make healthcare delivery not only accessible but affordable for the people in the state, particularly the children and women.

“What we are pursuing is to get as many people as possible on the health insurance and leaving no one behind, including the poor, the rich, and the rural and urban dwellers.”

While speaking, UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Ijeoma Agbo called on all relevant stakeholders to work together to ensure universal health coverage to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.

She said that health insurance brings financial protection to people by reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenses by individuals and families.

She also noted that health insurance facilitates equitable distribution of healthcare resources and promotes equity by ensuring that quality healthcare services is accessible to all persons, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location.

She charged the government to invest more in the primary health care system, saying that approach would be affordable to all and benefit packages

“Individuals with health insurance are more likely to seek timely medical care, leading to early detection and treatment of illnesses.

“Achieving universal healthcare requires a multi-sectorial and collaborative approach, involving government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, the private sector, communities, and the media,” she said.

Agbo also said that inadequate funding, limited awareness about health insurance and its benefits, and infrastructural gaps in health care, among others were some of the challenges of health insurance.

UNICEF Communication Officer, Blessing Ejiofor appealed to journalists to educate people on the importance and benefits of enrolling in the health insurance program.

Ejiofor said access to health insurance plays an important role in ensuring that children receive the timely healthcare they need to survive, thrive, and become whomever they wish to be in life.