Date: 2014-03-12

Beneficiaries of the Kwara State Community Health Insurance Scheme will hit 600,000 mark from the present 80,000 by the year 2018 when the scheme would have been in operation for about eleven years.

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed gave this indication yesterday at the flag-off of the Community Health Insurance Scheme in Share, Headquarters of Ifelodun local Government area and the opening of the remodelled General Hospital in the town.

He described the scheme which involves the State Government, the Dutch Health Insurance Fund, Hygeia Community HealthCare, and PharmAccess Foundation as an ideal example of public - private partnership in the provision of qualitative healthcare to the people at the grassroots.

Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed said his administration rehabilitated and equipped the general hospitals in Share, Ilorin, Offa, Kaiama and Omu Aran at a cost of N4billion due to its strong desire to enhance the wellbeing of the people in tangible ways.

Ahmed noted that all the five rehabilitated hospitals have been well equipped "with modern equipment that will ensure that our people access quality, affordable and comprehensive healthcare".

The governor added that the welfare of medical personnel like other workers in the state have not been compromised because no healthcare system can function effectively without quality and well-motivated human resources.

According to him, the State Government has commenced the payment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for all cadre of health workers in the state while consultants, medical officers, nurses and other categories of health workers were employed to complement the work force in the sector and ensure that the people get the best healthcare.

He noted that in terms of patronage, the scheme has "recorded one million visits to the clinics and hospitals since the beginning of the programme seven years ago" while 15 clinics and hospitals, have been upgraded to acceptable standards boost the success of the scheme.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, represented by a Consultant at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital , Dr Kayode Osayomi said new World Bank data showed that "Kwara has climbed to the second performing State in Nigeria with respect to maternal and child care".

Prof Chuckwu attributed the success of Kwara State in the provision of qualitative healthcare to the synergy between the state and its partners which he said has been "making an incredible and sustainable difference for all citizens unable to afford primary healthcare without incurring disastrous out-of-pocket expenses".