By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has stated that his administration is upgrading not less than 265 Primary Health Care centers across the state to ensure that rural dwellers have access to quality care.
He made this known during the flag-off of the “Access to Cares” programme by Kogi State Primary Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA), with over 76, 000 registered persons across the state.
The Governor noted that the administration seeks to provide the enabling environment for the programme.
The breakdown shows that 28,056 enrollees under the public sector employees plan are benefitting the programme, 3, 4727 enrollees under the person contributory health plan while, 44, 760 students are participating in the TIPSHIAP programme.
In a related development, the Governor also flagged off the distribution of medical equipment to Primary Health Care centers across the state and also distributed over 60 Solar Direct Drive refrigerators as part of strengthening the Cold Chain System for safe vaccine storage.
Governor Ododo also commissioned the revitalised and equipped Government House Clinic.
He stated that Kogi State is proud to have joined the global movement in embracing health insurance as a means of guaranteeing healthcare for vulnerable members of society.
“Today, we are taking bold steps to save the lives of our pregnant women through the safe motherhood initiative. We are securing the future of our children by reducing under-five mortality through time and quality care, and we are protecting families from catastrophic medical bills that often push them into poverty,” he said.
To improve efficiency, the Governor stated that his administration is providing two new Toyota Hilux Vehicles to the Agency for monitoring and supervision, just as he directed all members of the State Executive Council to adopt 50 persons each for enrollment.
In the same vein, all Special Advisers, Directors General, Executive Directors, Executive Secretaries and Managing Directors are to adopt 20 persons each, while Senior Special Assistants are to adopt 5 persons each.
The Governor directed the Executive Secretary of the Agency to compile and forward the list to State Government within three months.
