By Kemi Olatunde

The Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), a product of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) has recorded 85,109 enrollees as at today.

Director-General, ODCHC, Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin disclosed this during a media chat on ORANGHIS in Akure on Wednesday.

According to him, 35,195 public servants have been enrolled alongside 49,914 dependants comprising spouses and biological children below 18 years of age.

He explained that the enrollees have been allocated to their chosen hospitals nothing that capitation have been paid to all health facilities to ensure seamless delivery of quality care.

Oyeneyin revealed that there are 56 accredited health facilities both government and private hospitals including Primary Health Centres across the 18 Local Government Areas which are providing qualitative health care services for covered services including dental care, surgeries, deliveries including Caesarean Section and management of diseases in children among others.

He hinted that three Third Party Administrators have been put in place to provide coordination to the commission nothing that ODCHC is in partnership with the State Drug and Health Management Commodity Agency to ensure availability of quality drugs in facilities.

While speaking further, he hinted that in 2019, health insurance covering the state was 1.3 percent stating that with the commencement of ODCHC, it has increased to 4.2 percent.

Stating that ORANGHIS provides financial protection through the reduction of out of pocket expenditure on health care, he said that the insurance scheme for the informal sector, SUNSHIS commences soon.

He expressed appreciation to the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for being passionate about workers’welfare stating that the state is on the path to the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile said that government aimed at having a robust comprehensive health care system.

He lamented the weakness in the country’s health care system due to inability to access qualitative health care delivery through out of pocket fund which according to him has led to high morbidity and mortality rate.

He commended the governor for strengthening insurance scheme in the state and thanked stakeholders for keying into the governor’s vision.

Executive Secretary, OSOPADEC, Dr. Victor Koledoye described ORANGHIS as a big plus for the present administration stating that health insurance ought to have started before now in the state.

He stressed the need for ODCHC to ensure adequate coverage of the state population especially the informal sector for the success of the scheme.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm. (Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola stressed the need for civil servants to key into the insurance scheme.

Executive Secretary, Ondo State Drug and Health Management Commodity, Pham. Amos Aiyegbusi assured of provision of quality drugs as and when due at affordable price.

Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Tailat Aladesawe commended the commission describing its achievement as landmark in the country.