By Kemi Olatunde

Pregnant women and children under five in Ondo State have been urged to enrol in the state’s Vulnerable Population Programme to access quality healthcare services at no cost.

The Director-General of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin, gave the advice while speaking with Weekend Hope after monitoring the enrolment exercise of beneficiaries at the Primary Health Care Centre, Oke Mapo, Owo.

According to Oyeneyin, the Vulnerable Population Programme is a state government initiative under the ODCHC, in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). He noted that the scheme aims to enrol 18,000 pregnant women and children under five across health facilities in the state to ensure access to quality healthcare, in line with the mandate of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

“As you may recall, under our ‘Ease’ strategy, the E stands for Effective Healthcare and Socio-Economic Welfare. The state government is committed to ensuring that everyone, especially vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five, has health insurance coverage. This will guarantee access to quality healthcare, promote safe deliveries, and reduce maternal and infant mortality in Ondo State,” he stated.

Oyeneyin highlighted that the latest National Health and Demographic Survey ranked Ondo State with the lowest under-five mortality rate in the country, attributing the feat to the efforts of the state government, the Ministry of Health, ODCHC, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency, and other partners prioritising healthcare.

Commending Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support, he urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the government’s health programmes.

“Our government has made antenatal care, delivery, including caesarean sections completely free for indigent pregnant women and children under five. This is why, through the ongoing Abiyamo programme, we have recorded over 70,000 safe deliveries,” he added.

He assured that the programme, currently operational in nine local government areas, would be expanded to cover the remaining nine, ensuring wider access to free healthcare.

Addressing some beneficiaries, Oyeneyin advised them to adhere to the guidance of health workers for their well-being and that of their unborn children.

Orisadare Bankole, the officer in charge of the facility, described the turnout for the enrolment exercise as impressive, attributing the success to aggressive community engagement.

One of the beneficiaries, Kemi Asagunla, lauded Governor Aiyedatiwa for implementing free health initiatives that benefit pregnant women and children under five.

“With the current economic hardship, there is no cause for alarm because our Governor has covered our medical expenses until our children turn five. We are grateful to him,” she said.