The event was held at the banquet hall, Ilorin, Kwara State, on the 28th of October, 2022. It started with the arrival of guests, the royal kings of the state, the representative of the state Governor, SSG Prof Jubril Saba, SA to the Christianity religion, SA to the Muslim Religion, and others.
The Executive Secretary of Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr (Mrs) Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter gave her speech. She welcomed the dignitaries and everyone present at the event, the presence of Gov. AbdulRahmah AbdulRasaq was recognized, humbly represented by the SSG Prof Jubril Saba.
The Executive Secretary said we are here to mark the unprecedented achievements of our working governor in the health sector toward improving the health and livelihood of all residents and indigenes of Kwara State. Covid-19 pandemic shook economic structures across the world, particularly our healthcare infrastructure with a huge gap in facing healthcare delivery.
The rising cost of commodities due to inflation has not only thrusted many families into poverty, but has made healthcare services inaccessible to many, due to the simultaneous rises in cost of care. Our governor not only launched access to care in the middle of a pandemic synonymous with what meteorologists called “the eye of the storm”, but also have hope for the hopeless Kwarans, who only knew what had hit them as ” coro”.
In September 2020, when our governor launched access to care, to make healthcare services affordable, available, and of good quality to all living in Kwara, 10,000 indigents were given immediate access to healthcare services at 100% subsidy across the 16 LGAs in Kwara State. By the end of the first phase enrollment, 22 surgeries, 94 deliveries, 25 hypertension, 4 diabetic cases, and 20 emergencies had been managed through the state equity fund earmarked for the indigent population.
The Private Sector in Kwara State was not left behind with organizations like NURTW, The ARTISAN congress, RTEAN, Market Women Association, Tuyil Pharmaceuticals, SLOT, and many more, onboarding their staff and members, across the state. By the end of the enrollment year 2021-2022 covering a total of 15,930 lives, 107 surgeries had been performed inclusive of 48 cesarian sections, 138 deliveries, over 200 diabetic and hypertensive cases being managed, and 1,324 other services provided a cry from the 2020-2021 enrollment year and many other achievements.
I appreciate our partner, PharmAccess Foundation, Dutch Government. National Health Insurance Authority, UHC in Nigeria, Worldbank, WHO. MD, DGI consult. Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kwara State Chapter. All sectors of Kwara economy. My 24people strong but doing 100’s across the state. To my family, I say a big thank you to you all. God bless Kwara State! God bless Nigeria! Dr. Olubunmi said.
First Lady of the state, Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Olufolake AbdulRahmah AbdulRasaq said, the state government is committed to the health care of citizens, also the well-being of the people. We appreciate the governor for making this possible. The support of the Ajike support center, myself, and I congratulate the health scheme of the state for the success thus far. I am very glad to know about the achievements we have had in the sector. I am happy we can achieve more to eradicate the rate of sickle cell. I want you all to tell people to get registered with the Kwara State health insurance Agency so they can benefit as well.
Dr. Oluwatosin Kayode representing Hon Commissioner for Health, Dr. Raji Rasaq. He said, His Excellency Governor is commended for paying counterpart fund. He congratulated all the beneficiaries and all the Kwarans. “Oliver give” as he tagged the governor. He then charged the medical board to deliver seamless services to the beneficiaries in the state.
MD, DGI Consults, Dr. Gafar Alawode said, Health care is expensive, and illness doesn’t knock on the door before it comes in and without good health, you can’t function in other places, we should appreciate His Excellency for this privileged. As he has invested in the health sector, he has invested in all aspects of the state as well, We need more health workers, especially in the rural areas. We need more equipments in the health sector. Community mobilization is very important, and that is why we are partnering with the state health sector. We appeal to the royal fathers and members of the communities, we should always identify the true indigents to benefit from the provision the government has provided.
Testimonies and experience from a few beneficiaries were projected. Adamu Balikisi of Lafiagi. Adeyemo Folashade of Moro, Hameed Fatimoh of Patigi. Bamidele Aliyu of Share. Ayodele Dera of Igbeja. Jimoh Adegoke of Omupo. Hassana Abubakar of Osi. Yakubu Aishat of Kaiama. Mr. Duada of Kure, called the governor, “gbe emi ro”. They all appreciate the efforts of Governor AbdulRahmah AbdulRasaq in the health sectors and all over the state. They prayed for his second term in office, in sha Allah.