February 10, (THEWILL) – The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on more States in the country to key into Health Insurance Schemes.
He stated this while inaugurating the Bayelsa Health Insurance building at the State Secretariat Complex, Yenagoa, stressing that health insurance provides the opportunity for more citizens to have access to affordable healthcare services.
Okowa, who noted that the 2004 Health Insurance Act of the country makes it mandatory for every Nigerian to be enrolled in the scheme, regretted that only about 15 percent coverage has been achieved in terms of the populace.
He reiterated the need for governments across the States to accord priority to the health needs of their populace.
Okowa averred that one of the ways of providing improved healthcare services to citizens, particularly the less privileged in the society, is by adapting Health Insurance Schemes, which subsidise the payment for such services.
In his remarks, Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, who said the current administration in the State expanded the Health Insurance Scheme initiated by his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, to include the informal sector, pledged to sustain the programme.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Pabara Igwele, pointed out that the World Health Organization had encouraged nations to provide Health Insurance Schemes for their citizens, funded through social contributions rather than individual pockets.
About the Author
