Ekiti Establishes Health Insurance Scheme

The Ekiti State Government yesterday kick-started a Health Insurance Scheme (EHIS) in the state with the inauguration of 18-man committee that is expected to ensure a smooth take-off of the scheme.

The organised labour in the state has however, threatened to embark on an industrial action if the state government fails to pay them two months’ salaries every month with effect from July.The committee, which is headed by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olurotimi Ojo as Chairman, consists of members drawn from the public sector, private organisations, labour unions, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and health practitioners.

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Ojo reiterated the commitment of the state government to the provision of affordable healthcare services and to transform the health sector through the wide coverage and people’s participation in order to increase life expectancy for the growth and the overall development of the state.

Ojo said the focus was to guarantee improved access to high standard healthcare delivery through adequate financial protection against unforeseen huge medical bills as well as reduction of poverty in the state by reducing the out -of -pocket expenses on healthcare for families and individuals.