By Suleiman Abdulmumin
In a major push to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Monday flagged off a series of landmark initiatives in the state’s health sector, significantly expanding health insurance coverage, strengthening primary healthcare, and announcing a special monthly allowance of ₦300,000 for all medical doctors in the state civil service.
The Governor made the announcements during the flag-off ceremony in Lokoja, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of all Kogites.
Expanded Health Insurance and Subsidies
Governor Ododo officially flagged off access to care for over 76,000 new beneficiaries under various health insurance plans, significantly expanding the scope of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA). The new beneficiaries include:
- The Local Government Formal Sector Plan.
- The Pensioners Contributory Health Insurance Plan.
- The Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) for state-owned tertiary institution students.
The Governor announced critical subsidies for senior citizens under the Pensioners Contributory Health Insurance Plan:
- Free coverage for pensioners earning below ₦50,000 monthly.
- A subsidized monthly contribution of ₦625 for those earning between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000.
- A monthly contribution of ₦1,250 for pensioners earning above ₦100,000.
He also directed members of his cabinet and senior political appointees to adopt and enroll a specific number of indigent persons into the scheme, calling on philanthropists to key into the ₦15,000 per year informal sector plan. The KGSHIA also received two new Toyota Hilux vehicles for improved monitoring and supervision.
Incentives for Doctors to Curb ‘Japa’ Syndrome
To combat the relocation of medical professionals (known as the ‘Japa’ syndrome) and improve the welfare of those in the state service, Governor Ododo declared an immediate special monthly intervention allowance of ₦300,000 for every medical doctor in the Kogi State civil service.
Furthermore, in anticipation of the commencement of the MBBS programmes at Prince Abubakar Audu University and the Confluence University of Science and Technology, the Governor approved the construction of a Resident Doctors’ Lounge and House Officers’ Quarters at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, to facilitate housemanship training.
Primary Healthcare Revitalization and Maternal Health
The administration is placing a strong focus on strengthening the healthcare system at the grassroots level.
Other initiatives flagged off include:
Distribution of medical equipment to primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the state.
Commencement of the distribution of over 8,000 delivery packs to pregnant women at PHCs as part of safe motherhood initiatives.
Distribution of over 60 Solar Direct Drive refrigerators to strengthen the cold chain system for safe vaccine storage.
Commissioning of the revitalized and equipped Government House Clinic.
The Governor restated his commitment to revitalizing 70 primary healthcare centres and working with development partners to upgrade over 200 PHCs across the state, with the goal of drastically reducing maternal and child mortality.
Governor Ododo appointed Dr. Ajodoh Ojone Monday as the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Agency for the Control of AIDS, recognizing his dedicated service during disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and Lassa fever.
In his remarks, the Governor expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms which have translated into improved allocations and guided the state’s health sector interventions. He also commended his predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for the foresight in establishing the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, the foundation upon which the current expansion is built.