Health
RETIRED public servants in Ogun on Thursday commenced enrolment for the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-approved lifetime health insurance scheme for pensioners, expressing appreciation for the initiative.
The enrolment exercise, which began simultaneously across the state, followed the governor’s approval of a free lifetime health insurance coverage under the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.
Monitoring the exercise in Abeokuta, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said the programme reflected the administration’s people-centred approach to governance and commitment to pensioners’ welfare.
Coker said the enthusiasm shown by retirees at the registration centres underscored the importance of the initiative, noting that many beneficiaries were delighted at the opportunity.
She said the programme recognised the invaluable contributions of retired public servants to the development of the state and also demonstrated government’s commitment to their welfare.
“I am delighted that our seniors who served the state for decades can now have access to healthcare without paying out-of-pocket.
“They are evidently happy about the governor’s approval of this programme and its benefits to pensioners across the state,” she said.
Coker assured beneficiaries that the programme was sustainable, adding that the enrolment of pensioners into the health insurance scheme was backed by law.
She said the initiative would continue beyond the present administration and that the government had laid a solid foundation for its continuity and success.
The commissioner added that the registration exercise would cover all local government areas to ensure that every eligible pensioner benefited from the scheme.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Olusegun Adewale, who is recovering from a stroke, described the initiative as life-saving and thanked the governor for easing healthcare costs for retirees.
Adewale said the programme had rekindled hope among pensioners, especially those requiring regular medical attention and treatment for age-related health challenges.
Also speaking, Mrs Titilayo Odufuwa, a retired teacher, commended the governor for prioritising pensioners’ welfare through the lifetime health insurance scheme.
She said the initiative would guarantee access to quality healthcare at a stage in life when medical needs were often frequent and unavoidable.
Other pensioners described the scheme as a compassionate intervention that would enable them access quality healthcare without financial hardship and improve their wellbeing in retirement.(NAN)
Tags: Abiodun Life insurance cover Ogun Pensioners