By Kemi Olatunde
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Ondo State Government has said that the Contributory Health Scheme which would soon begin implementation, is not to compete with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) but to ensure quality health care accessibility at no cost.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro stated this while speaking with The Hope last Friday in Akure.
According to him, it is part of the rule of NHIS that states of the federation should downscale the scheme at state level saying “14 states have already key into that.”
While speaking further, he commended the people of the state for their determination to key into the Scheme which according to him would start before the end of the year.
Stressing the importance of the Scheme, Adegbenro, explained that the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led – administration wants all to get quality health delivery, saying “a lot of money is needed to power the health sector and no government can finance it 100 percent hence, people have to support government in order to guarantee the best in terms of health care delivery.
” If three million people out of the state population could contribute to the scheme, there would be huge sum of money available to care for the people. “
The Commissioner who hinted that the Mother and Child hospitals across the state have been designated as special centres for the scheme, he explained that adequate provision has been made for the care of the vulnerable group consisting of the pregnant women, under five children and physically challenged persons.
While allaying the fears of residents of the state on the premium, he said that it would depend on the status and it would not be outrageous.
His words; “The law has established an agency; Health Contributory Agency, and those that would be part of it. It has also established a board which would oversee the agency.
” The agency would determine the premium to be paid by individuals. “
He urged the people to key into the scheme as soon as it kick start and reiterated government’s resolve to continue to strengthen the health sector until the desired result is gotten.
