Nigeria’s health sector has marked a significant milestone with the launch of the first-ever Community Health Insurance Scheme for Ijesa seniors, spearheaded by the Ijesa Community Development Assembly (ICDA) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.
The inaugural batch of the Ijesa Community/National Health Insurance Scheme will benefit 3,500 senior citizens of Ijesa descent, providing them with health coverage for one year. This initiative aims to alleviate the impact of the global economic downturn on the health of the elderly population in Ijesa.
At the orientation program for potential enrollees held at the Ijesaland Geriatric Hospital, Ilesa, ICDA Chairman Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi highlighted the importance of the scheme.
Asiwaju Fasuyi emphasized that this initiative is designed to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens, ensuring they can achieve longevity comparable to those in the Rhine Valley, Germany.
He urged affluent members of the Ijesa community to support this groundbreaking initiative, stressing the program’s sustainability and the need for continued contributions to the social and economic development of the region just as he warned against impostors attempting to fraudulently benefit from the scheme, stating that legal actions will be pursued against them.
Dr. Adeyemo, representing the National Health Insurance Authority, explained that enrollees could access NHIS services at accredited primary and secondary healthcare facilities within and outside Ilesa.
These facilities include OAUTHC Wesley Guild Hospital, Ijesaland Geriatric Centre, Adenle Memorial Hospital, Daniel Adewole Awe Medical Centre, Alade Medical Centre, and Balm and Gel, among others.
Enrollees traveling away from their preferred providers can contact their Health Management Organizations (HMO) for free or subsidized NHIS services.
Community members Mr. Dele Ogunjube and Prince Adesanmi Haastrup expressed their gratitude to the ICDA for their efforts in sponsoring various projects aimed at enhancing the area.
The submission of registration forms for the scheme will close on Friday, the 30th of this month. The event was attended by notable members of the ICDA, including Dr. Toyin Olalemi, Chief Afolabi Igbaroola, and Mr. Wale Idowu.
IMAGE: Isaac Haastrup
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