By Kemi Olatunde

Director-General, Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin has called on the government and privately owned service providers to support the scheme.

The support, according to him will also enable the commission hit its desired target of two million enrollees in the next two years.

Oyeneyin spoke in Akure on Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS), for both public servants and political office holders in the state.

According to him, the scheme was flagged off by the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on September 27, 2022, noting that the enrollment of beneficiaries commenced on the October 18, 2022.

While stating that a provider compensation mechanism has been signed with accredited hospitals, he explained that the meeting which he described as the first of the series of engagements, will be on a monthly basis

He noted that the one for heads of health facilities will be held on quarterly basis so as to have a successful scheme.

He said that the second phase of the enrollment of public servants begins today (Friday) to ensure that more people benefit.

Oyeneyin who said that the scheme for retirees is in the pipeline, hinted that the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (Abiyamo Health Insurance Scheme) whose premium is solely paid by government has recorded 24,250 beneficiaries including 15934 antenatal service, 8129 deliveries, 2015 Cesarean Section, 191 twins and five quadruplets.

In his address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile who described the scheme as an avenue to benefit from the long awaited free health in the state, called for the cooperation of stakeholders for both the development of the state and successful programme.

In his goodwill message, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board, Dr. Niran Ikuomola explained that the board, will continue to be a pacesetter in providing qualitative services which according to him cannot be achieved without adequate funding.

State Coordinator, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Adebiyi Adebisi who described the state as one of the leading states in health in the country noted that the state has best structures in place at the PHC level.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharm. (Mrs) Folukemi Aladenola stressed the need for ORANGHIS to be domiciled in all public health facilities calling on health workers to have a change of attitude towards patients so that enrollees can be more confident in the facilities.