The Ogun State Government has launched a health insurance scheme designed for the formal sector, comprising civil servants, public servants and workers in the organised private sector, as part of activities planned for the 2024 Public Service Week.
The launch follows an earlier scheme launched for the informal sector in February 2022, which enables artisans, market women, traders and other residents earning a living through unorganized settings in the state to benefit.
Speaking at the official launch of the formal sector scheme at the Obas Complex, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Abiodun said his government would pay 50 per cent of the premium for every worker registered under the scheme.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said it was in the interest of the present administration to ensure the welfare and well-being of public servants who are the engine room of government.
The Governor said the theme for Civil Service Week 2024, “Building a Socially Responsible Civil Service in the 21st Century: A Place of Ethics and Values,” resonated deeply with the aspirations and ideals the current administration has for public service.
“I hereby assure all public servants that their welfare will remain a priority on the development agenda of the government as evidenced by our payment of a N100 million counterpart fund, which has granted the state access to the Federal Government’s Basic Health Care Provision Fund since February 2020; the launch of the OGSHIS Informal Sector in 2020; and the provision of a N100 million take-off grant to the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency in November 2020.
“Also, as part of the palliative support in the health sector earlier in the year, we released N310 million as a capital fund to provide access to health insurance to low-income residents of the state, part of which facilitated free surgeries for over a thousand residents.
Article page with promotion of financial support
“Furthermore, we have released the sum of N324 million to support 3,300 pregnant women in the state free of charge, under the scheme tagged ‘Ibidero’. This includes covering their antenatal and postnatal care as well as providing a N5,000 token after delivery,” he said.
Mr. Abiodun stressed that the success of the plan is a collective effort, requiring close collaboration with health officials and stakeholders to ensure that the system is effectively implemented, well monitored and continuously improved.
In her remarks, Health Commissioner Tomi Coker noted that with nearly 80 percent of Nigerians paying out of pocket for their healthcare, most citizens are exposed to the dire consequences of catastrophic healthcare expenditure.
He encouraged residents of the state to take advantage of schemes in both the informal and formal sectors, stressing that these programmes serve as a hedge against the financial risk of undue health expenditure that could plunge people into extreme poverty.
“I am delighted that Prince Dapo Abiodun, whose priority on health has proven to lead to improvements in our health systems, is launching this programme today. This is no longer just a plan; it is already in place. So rest assured that this programme is here and it is here to stay,” she said.
The Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, in his welcome address, stressed that good health was fundamental to the successful socio-economic progress of the people, underlining the reality of the common maxim: “Health is wealth.”
He added that the current administration's understanding that healthcare is critical to improving workforce productivity is evidenced by the governor's decision to launch the formal sector health insurance scheme.
He also noted that the plan would directly affect the well-being of not only workers but also their families.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Chapter, Ademola Benco, while delivering his goodwill message, described Mr. Abiodun as worker-friendly and conscious of workers’ welfare.
He congratulated him for paying 50 percent of the premium for each worker enrolled in the plan.
However, he called on the government to ensure the programme is consistent and sustainable, and pledged the union's support in making it a success.