Aiyedatiwa Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Health Coverage, Approves Free Health Insurance for Pensioners
Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage, emphasizing that access to quality healthcare should not be determined by an individual's financial status.
The governor made the declaration on Monday at the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs), held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome) in Akure.
The summit brought together policymakers, health insurance administrators, development partners, and government officials from across Nigeria to deliberate on strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) despite prevailing economic challenges.
Speaking on the summit's theme, “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for Scalable Health Insurance,” Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that the conversation around healthcare financing has become increasingly important due to rising inflation and economic hardship affecting many households nationwide.
According to the governor, financial difficulties often compel families to postpone seeking medical attention until illnesses become severe and more expensive to manage.
He described social health insurance as a vital tool for protecting citizens from devastating healthcare costs while ensuring equal access to medical services regardless of income level.
Aiyedatiwa stated that his administration has continued to prioritize the health sector through the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), which has been expanding insurance coverage and improving healthcare service delivery across the state.
He explained that the Orange Health Insurance Scheme currently provides coverage for public servants and their dependants, while enrolment has also been extended to individuals in the informal sector and members of local security outfits.
The governor further highlighted the achievements of the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Programme, which offers free antenatal care, safe childbirth services, and healthcare coverage for children under the age of five.
He added that through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme, vulnerable residents across all 203 political wards in the state's 18 local government areas have been enrolled in health insurance schemes.
Reaffirming his administration’s inclusive healthcare agenda, Aiyedatiwa stressed that health insurance coverage must not be limited to workers in the formal sector but should also embrace retirees, vulnerable persons, and rural communities.
Consequently, he announced the inclusion of pensioners in the Orange Health Insurance Scheme, with the Ondo State Government assuming full responsibility for their enrolment and coverage costs.
According to him, the initiative was introduced in recognition of the growing healthcare needs of retirees and the increasing cost of medical treatment associated with old age.
The governor noted that the programme would enable pensioners to access medical consultations, treatment, prescription drugs, and specialized healthcare services without financial hardship.
Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that his administration has embarked on the construction, renovation, and upgrading of healthcare facilities across the state while recruiting additional healthcare personnel to strengthen manpower capacity.
He further revealed that Ondo State has become the first state in Nigeria to implement the newly approved salary structure for health workers.
As part of efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, the governor announced the approval of a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund dedicated to the expansion and modernization of health facilities across the state.
He explained that the intervention fund, which is separate from routine health sector allocations, is intended to improve hospital capacity and enhance service delivery.
The governor attributed the achievements recorded in the health sector to strategic planning, purposeful leadership, and sustained investment in citizens' welfare. He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to attain universal health coverage through strengthened monitoring systems, quality assurance mechanisms, facility assessments, and expanded enrolment of underserved populations.
Aiyedatiwa also called on State Social Health Insurance Agencies across the country to continue implementing reforms aimed at improving access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
In his welcome address, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, described the summit as a timely gathering focused on addressing pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
He noted that current economic realities demand innovative and sustainable healthcare financing strategies by state governments.
Awolowo-Ajaka said the summit would provide an opportunity for chief executives of State Social Health Insurance Agencies to exchange ideas, align policies with the National Health Insurance Authority, and explore sustainable funding models.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, credited the state’s progress in healthcare reform to Governor Aiyedatiwa’s strong commitment to the sector.
He observed that traditional healthcare financing models are no longer sufficient and stressed the need for improved resource mobilization, reduced leakages, and expanded coverage for informal sector workers and vulnerable groups.
Odimayo, who also serves as Chairman of the Summit Local Organising Committee, maintained that State Social Health Insurance Agencies remain crucial to achieving universal health coverage at the grassroots level.
In his remarks, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the Forum of Health Commissioners, Dr. Oyebanji Filani, commended Ondo State for recording the lowest neonatal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria.
He cited data from the National Demographic and Health Survey, which showed that Ondo State recorded neonatal mortality of three deaths per 1,000 live births and infant mortality of eight deaths per 1,000 live births.
Delivering a goodwill message, Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies and Director-General of the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr. Kabir Mustapha, described the summit as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for universal health coverage.
Mustapha applauded Ondo State for hosting the summit and acknowledged ongoing reforms championed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, noted that the rising cost of out-of-pocket healthcare spending continues to expose many Nigerians to financial hardship.
He expressed concern that more than 90 percent of Nigerians remain outside the formal health insurance system and emphasized that achieving universal health coverage is essential to protecting citizens from medical poverty.
