By Rotimi Odofin
In a bid to enhance healthcare services in rural areas, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has announced plans to revamp and upgrade three primary healthcare centres in each of the 21 Local Government Areas.
This initiative according to him is aimed at improving healthcare delivery and accessibility for residents in underserved communities.
The Governor made this announcement during the launch of the free health insurance scheme under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in Kogi State.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made in enrolling civil servants in the formal sector healthcare plan, as well as vulnerable and indigent populations under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
The event marked the commencement of healthcare access for 32,000 enrollees in the formal sector healthcare plan, 41,587 enrollees in the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, and the unveiling of the Ten-Year Strategic Plan of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency.
Governor Ododo took the opportunity to acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support towards the government and people of Kogi State.
He praised the President for providing the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, which aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.
In Governor Ododo’s words, “President Tinubu’s unwavering support has created a stable platform for the Kogi State government to deliver effective governance to its people. We are grateful for the various health interventions, particularly at the primary healthcare level, through the BHCPF, which aims to address the healthcare needs of vulnerable and indigent Nigerians.”
Furthermore, Governor Ododo commended his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello, for his bold initiatives in the healthcare sector. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of the state government to prioritize the health and well-being of its citizens.
Governor Ododo who commended his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaha Bello for the bold initiative to set up the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, noted that the audacious efforts of his predecessor has become the solid foundation for the development of access to healthcare by a reasonable spectrum of the population of the state.
“I will also like to appreciate His Excellency. Alh. Yahaya Bello, the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, who took the bold and decisive step to establish the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency against all odds.
The huge investment made in the health sector has provided a solid foundation for us to build on to improve our health system and secure a healthier future for the good people of Kogi State”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to consolidate on the strides achieved in the health sector by expanding access to healthcare and
revitalizing the Primary Health Care Centers across the state for improved service delivery to the people of Kogi State.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Health Dr. Adams AbdulAzeez Adeiza stated that the launch of the access to care programme in the state will mark the end of out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare in Kogi State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Kogi State Health Insurance, Dr. Aledare Adekunle said Kogi State has made a good start in the journey to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with about 122,046 already enrolled into the access to care programme in the state.