By Kemi Olatunde

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Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo has called on stakeholders to come up with suggestions on the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) in order to bring improvement to it.

He made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting on ORANGHIS in Akure.

According to him, it is important to  have a vibrant health sector, noting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is doing the needful in ensuring an improved health sector.

While assuring of government efforts in making fantastic progress in the health sector, he stressed the need for mutual respect and understanding among stakeholders, stating that it will help in generating appropriate feedback which according to him would advance the system.

Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu stated that health facilities are doing well despite  challenges including unavailability of doctors and drugs.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola while appreciating the good work of the commission, described health insurance as the only way to finance the health sector.

Ikuomola who expressed appreciation to union leaders and workers for keying into the scheme said that the ministry will sanction health workers who fail to provide qualitative service to residents, calling on them to support the scheme to improve the health sector.

Director-General, Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin who stressed the need to give qualitative health care delivery to residents said that the commission is prepared to ensure that enrollee get the best in their chosen health facilities for the scheme.

Oyeneyin who assured of implementation of all suggestions at the gathering, noted that the commission aimed at putting in place a monitoring committee which according to him comprises stakeholders to ensure normalcy in health facilities.

He added that it is also working on the expansion of provider network across the 18 Local Government Areas to attend to the needs of residents.

State Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Adeyemi Osowe assured of the group’s support for ORANGHIS, calling on government to employ more doctors which according to him has been affecting service delivery in health facilities in the state.

In her presentation, Director, Business Development and Client Relation, Mrs Aderonke Ibitoye described ORANGHIS as a scheme for civil servants and political office holders with their dependant which are their spouse and children under 18 years.

She explained that there has been 97,255 enrollees since its inception, noting that the scheme has treated 8,841 enrollees for Malaria, 10,240 enrollees for High Blood Pressure, 434 enrollees for Diabetes and 130 deliveries including 25 Cesarean session.