Ondo Approves N1bn Hospital Fund, Extends Free Health Insurance to Retirees
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund and announced free enrollment of retirees into the state’s health insurance scheme as part of efforts to deepen access to healthcare and advance universal health coverage.
The governor made the announcement on Monday while declaring open the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure.
Speaking on the theme, “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for Scalable Health Insurance,” Aiyedatiwa said healthcare access should not be determined by economic status, especially amid rising inflation and increasing medical costs.
He said the newly approved N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund would be deployed to expand and modernise healthcare facilities across the state, while the inclusion of retirees in the Orange Health Insurance Scheme would guarantee pensioners access to medical consultations, treatment, medication and specialised healthcare services at no personal cost.
According to the governor, the state government will fully fund the health insurance premiums of retirees in recognition of their growing healthcare needs and the financial burden associated with ageing.
Aiyedatiwa also disclosed that Ondo State had become the first state in Nigeria to implement the newly approved salary structure for health workers, describing the move as a strategic intervention to improve welfare, curb workforce migration and retain skilled professionals in the health sector.
He highlighted ongoing efforts by his administration to strengthen healthcare delivery through the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), noting that the Orange Health Insurance Scheme currently covers public servants and their dependants, while enrollment has commenced for workers in the informal sector and local security outfits.
The governor further cited the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Programme, which provides free antenatal care, safe delivery services and health coverage for children under five years, as part of measures aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality.
He added that vulnerable residents across the state’s 203 political wards had also been enrolled in health insurance programmes through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund initiative.
To further improve healthcare services, Aiyedatiwa said his administration had approved the procurement of modern medical equipment for secondary health facilities, embarked on the construction and renovation of health infrastructure, and recruited additional health workers to address manpower shortages.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to achieving universal health coverage through expanded insurance enrollment, strengthened quality assurance systems, facility audits and sustained investment in the health sector.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, described the summit as a critical platform for addressing healthcare financing challenges facing states amid current economic realities.
Stakeholders at the summit, including health commissioners, insurance agency chief executives, development partners and government officials from across Nigeria, emphasized the need for innovative and sustainable financing models to achieve universal health coverage and reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending.
The event also featured goodwill messages from the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri; Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies, Dr Kabir Mustapha; and Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, among others.
