Oyo Govt, UNICEF Unveil Innovative Health Insurance Scheme for Primary School Students.
By Olatunde Ajayi
Oyo State Government and UNICEF launched a health insurance scheme for public primary school pupils. The scheme, supported by UNICEF, aims to improve access to quality healthcare for underprivileged children.
Speaking at the event in Ibadan, the state Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, urged Oyo State Health Insurance Agency,OYSHIA, to expand its efforts to capture more pupils across the state.
He also praised UNICEF’s interventions and encouraged other organisations to follow suit.
Also, the Executive Secretary of Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), Dr. Sola Akande, said the scheme will initially cover 10,000 pupils.
He noted that various health insurance schemes have already provided access to quality healthcare services for over 250,000 residents.
“In effect, the purchasing power and quality of life of about 2.5 per cent of the residents of the state has improved through the activities of OYSHIA,” he said.
UNICEF’s Chief of Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, emphasised that affordable and quality healthcare is every child’s fundamental right.
She praised the initiative for promoting universal health coverage and ensuring no child faces financial obstacles in accessing healthcare.
“Universal health coverage is more than a healthcare goal; it’s a social and economic necessity.
“When children have access to healthcare, they can focus on education, grow into productive adults, break the cycle of poverty and contribute to the success of the nation.
“At UNICEF, equity is our guiding principle, ensuring equal opportunities for every child. This scheme exemplifies this by focusing on public primary school children, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” she said.
Other dignitaries, including the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Dr Nureni Adeniran, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, Mr Raji Oladimeji, commended the initiative and assured their support for its success.
