By Saheed Ibrahim
The State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ondo State, Mrs Kuburat Omowumi Bakare, has called for improved healthcare services for Corps members in the state.
Bakare made the appeal during a visit to the management of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) at their state office in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
She emphasised that Corps members are an integral part of society and deserve priority attention when faced with medical challenges, lamenting the indifferent attitude of some Health Management Organisations (HMOs).
According to her, some HMOs display unprofessionalism and a lack of empathy, instead of providing the necessary medical and professional services. She noted that such actions had caused Corps members and NYSC management to question the sincerity and integrity of these organisations.
In response, the Coordinator of the NHIA in Ondo State, Dr Adebiyi Adebisi, explained that the programme, which began in 2020, aims to provide affordable and subsidised medical services to all Nigerians, including Corps members.
Dr Adebisi acknowledged the challenges of healthcare service delivery in the country but assured that the NHIA has been striving to meet the needs of Corps members, considering the constraints within Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“The Director General of the National Health Insurance Authority is working tirelessly to implement several initiatives, and we remain committed to delivering the best services to Nigerians, regardless of their status or background,” he said.
He also highlighted difficulties posed by some first-generation teaching hospitals due to their unique circumstances, which impact NHIA’s operations.
Dr Adebisi expressed gratitude to Mrs Bakare for her visit, noting that she was the first among the four NYSC State Coordinators he had worked with to visit his office.