The Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Commission has announced plans to enrol no fewer than 1,000 retirees into the state health insurance scheme, as part of efforts to improve access to affordable healthcare for former workers across the state.
The Director-General of the commission, Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, said the initiative would significantly widen coverage and ease the financial burden of medical care on retirees.
Speaking on Tuesday in Akure, Dr. Oyeneyin explained that the new phase of enrolment follows the recent launch of informal sector participation in the health insurance programme by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He said the commission is collaborating with Stanbic IBTC and the Ondo State Government to register eligible retirees, while also working closely with the National Union of Pensioners to ensure widespread participation across the state.
He added that the commission is simultaneously expanding its outreach to the informal workforce, including commercial motorcycle riders, market women, artisans, and other self-employed groups, in a bid to make healthcare services more inclusive at the community level throughout Ondo State.
According to him, the programme aligns with the governor’s “Our Ease” agenda, which prioritises improved healthcare delivery and enhanced social welfare for residents. Dr. Oyeneyin noted that strategic partnerships are also helping to guarantee the steady availability of essential drugs through improved commodity management systems.
The director-general further disclosed that the recruitment of health workers is ongoing across primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities in the state. He said the exercise is aimed at supporting faster treatment and improving the overall quality of care for beneficiaries of the health insurance scheme.
Dr. Oyeneyin said feedback from stakeholders is continually being used to strengthen service delivery, adding that the commission’s 24-hour helpline remains operational and is currently being upgraded with Starlink network support to improve public access and responsiveness.
He also stated that the commission has not owed any service provider since 2019 and is in the process of upgrading its automated claims management system. According to him, the upgrade will ensure that payments to accredited healthcare facilities are made within the stipulated 30-day period.
