Oyo State government on Tuesday sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with six health management organisations (HMOs), in its mandatory health insurance drive.



Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan said the HMOs will ensure that both the informal and formal sectors are covered under the health insurance scheme and that at least the scheme can enrols at least 2.5 million persons in three years.

The Commissioner, who noted that health is the priority of Oyo State government, added “the state takes this programme very important because it will like to meet the Sustainable development goals (SDGs), including the universal health coverage for all.”

He declared that already all public office holders in Oyo State, including members of the House of Assembly had been enrolled in the scheme, adding that the government is working assiduously to also ensure that all civil servants gets enrolled as well.

Dr Adeduntan declared that as the health insurance scheme will be focusing on universal health for all, the newly launched Health Endowment Fund will help to ensure facilities in government hospitals are upgraded to at least the minimum acceptable standard.

Chairman, Health and Managed Care Association of Nigeria (HMCAN), Dr Tunde Ladele, remarking that the state’s model for health insurance was unique, assured that the scheme’s target of 2.5 million enrollees will have a good start as all civil servants are enrolled immediately.

Dr Ladele also commended Oyo State government for also targeting the informal sector, saying the state’s model of insurance was very good.

Secretary, HMCAN and Managing Director, Ultimate Health Management,  Mr Lekan Ewenla, who described the platform the state is adopting as the best to drive the initiative, assured that the six HMOs will be working as consortium to ensure universal health coverage in the state.

He also stressed the need to ensure that all staffsof local government also buy into the scheme.

Earlier, Acting Executive secretary, Oyo State health Insurance Agency, Dr Olusola Akande said the HMOs were picked based on merit, after going through the necessary due process.