By Bisola Adeyemo
The Ekiti State Government at the weekend announced that it has set aside N270 million to provide free health services for some citizens under the State Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS).
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oyebanji Filani announced this plan at the palace of Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu during a session on the plan of the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi to improve healthcare, adding that more than 20,000 individuals, including pregnant women, children, poor and aged persons would benefit from the free health services.
At the session, the commissioner explained that the program was meant to ensure that there is an improvement in healthcare delivery, life expectancy, free healthcare services, and prevention of untimely deaths among the citizens.
“The program will cover pregnant women, poor people, children below age five, old people and the indigent. It is a partnership between the federal and state governments. It is going to be first come, first serve policy,” he said
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Filani further added, “A sum of N270 million has been earmarked for the scheme that will benefit an aggregate of 20,000 persons. Let all our people that are qualified make themselves available when the time comes. Every treatment for the beneficiaries will be free while a sum of N15, 000 is budgeted for each beneficiary, but will not be given to them in cash. But for them to be qualified for registration, they must get their National Identity Cards and National Identification Numbers (NIN)”.
He said the government of Ekiti State has begun aggressive rehabilitation of primary healthcare facilities across 177 wards, saying the government would renovate seven facilities in Ikere Local Government alone.
He said: “We are not going to rehabilitate them alone, we will provide equipment like Blood Pressure Machine, test kits for sugar level, PCV test kits, T-scan, delivery beds, Ultrasound and X-ray Machines to be able to dispense services to the people”
He explained further: “In October 2020, Ekiti Hospitals’ Management Board employed 10 doctors. The Primary Healthcare Development Agency employed nine. We are also recruiting nurses and pharmacists. More NYSC doctors and nurses will be posted to Ekiti. The governor has done all the arrangements.”
“We are looking up to our traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community leaders to monitor the facilities. We must get feedback from you about how people patronize the facilities, the efficiency of the personnel, and what you are lacking in these facilities.”
