KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT STEPS UP EFFORTS TO ACTUALIZE FORMAL SECTOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

As part of efforts to ensure Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for Kogi State residents, Kogi State government has taken steps to ensure civil servants in the state enjoy access to quality and affordable health care services under the State Health Insurance Agency.

The state government has in the last twelve months released five percent of the basic salary of all her civil servants into the formal sector scheme as employers contribution even as it has further engaged the organized labour on the employees premium contributions.

In pursuit of actualizing the formal sector scheme in the state, the state government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the organized labour even as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is expected to flag-off the formal sector health insurance plan to activate access to care for the state civil servants soon.

The Secretary to Kogi State government, Mrs Folashade Arike Ayo-Ade PHD in her remark at the signing of the memorandum of understanding commended the state government for the establishment of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, her political and financial commitment towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in the state.

The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza in his remarks emphasized that Kogi State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo will continue to build on the developmental strides put in place in the health sector by the immediate past administration of Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello.

The Head of Kogi State Civil Service, Pastor Elijah Evinemi observed that the formal sector plan is timely, will guarantee health security and improve productivity.

In his remark, the Chairman of the Kogi State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Gabriel Amari and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Ahmed Tijani appreciated the state government strides in the health sector and urged the state government to keep to the terms of the MOU during the implementation of the formal sector health insurance plan.

Also speaking at the signing of the MOU, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aledare Adekunle appreciated Kogi State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo for his commitment to the health of the civil servants in the state.

Dr. Adekunle also thanked the leadership of the organized labour for their understanding, support and cooperation throughout the engagement period on steps towards the implementation of the formal sector plan. He assured all the stakeholders of the implementation of the formal sector plan accordingly.

Present at the signing of the MOU was the Kogi State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mallam Sanni Suleiman and the Solicitor General of the state who represented the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice