By Kemi Olatunde

In order to strengthen the health sector in Ondo State, the sum of One billion, seven hundred and seventy seven million, six hundred and eighty seven thousand, six hundred and fifty naira N1,777,687,650 has been paid as capitation to accredited providers under ORANGHIS, solely for primary healthcare services.

Director-General of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin, revealed this while delivering his welcome address at the Northern Senatorial District Providers’ Engagement Forum in Owo on Tuesday.

According to him, the fund is not meant solely for clients’ treatment, noting that it is also used for infrastructural development in health facilities.

He described the state as the highest-paying agency in Nigeria, noting that N750 is paid per enrollee on a monthly basis.

He explained that health insurance buildings have been constructed in certain health facilities, including those in Akure and Ondo UNIMED Teaching Hospital, Mother and Child Hospital in Akure, among others, assuring that the gesture will be extended to other local government areas in the state.

He commended the state Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for providing the enabling environment for the commission to operate, noting that health financing plays a crucial role in attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) both in the state and across the country.

He disclosed that 17 providers, which are all government-owned health facilities, offer care in the Northern Senatorial District, adding that there is no accredited private hospital offering such services in that part of the state.

In his special remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, lauded the commission’s efforts in sustaining the health insurance system in the state, stating that the Governor is committed to ensuring the functionality of the health sector through various investments.

Odimayo, who disclosed that efforts are underway to bring more people into the state health insurance scheme, revealed that the commission was awarded the best health insurance system in Nigeria due to stakeholders’ commitment.

He called for stakeholders’ collaboration to move the system forward.

In his goodwill message, the representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Adesoji, pledged the ministry’s support in ensuring that the commission achieves its target goals.

Executive Secretary of ODHCMA, Pharm. Amos Ayegbusi, stated that the agency is committed to ensuring drug availability for providers in the state, noting that Ondo has one of the best pharmaceutical standards in the country. He said, “We will supply 100 percent of drugs and health commodities in the state.”

Representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr (Mrs) Yetunde Olagbuji, noted that 70 percent of residents live in rural areas and emphasised that primary healthcare (PHC) must be developed to improve the health sector.

Olagbuji commended the commission for enabling more people to access healthcare through its products and described health financing as one of the four pillars of health system strengthening.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Olapade Ademola Adenike, stated that the majority of workers have benefitted from the commission’s programmes and called on the commission to uphold transparency in order to earn the trust of the people.

Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Clement Fatuase, noted that the commission’s efforts speak volumes, urging providers to deliver the best services to their clients.

Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Ajiboye Oluwaseun Adesuyi, called for the recruitment of more health workers in the state and appealed to the government to pay outstanding hazard allowances owed to health workers.

Representative of the NULGE President, Mrs Antonia Aladegbonmire, stressed the need to sensitise residents on the services rendered by the commission, adding that desk officers must be stationed in all local government areas.

Speaking on behalf of providers, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare Akoko, Dr Idowu Ayodeji, assured of the providers’ commitment to delivering quality healthcare services to clients, calling on the government to address the manpower shortage in health facilities across the state.