By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KW-HIA) has inaugurated another regional office in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, to improve the access of the people to affordable and quality healthcare services.
Located inside the General Hospital Omu-Aran, the office is 4th in the series, after after the ones in Offa, Edu, and Kaiama local governments of the state.
At the commissioning ceremony on Tuesday, the Kwara First Lady, Ambassador Mrs Olufolake AbdulRazaq, said the newly opened regional office of the agency would relieve the affected people of the pain from traveling down to Ilorin to get enrolled under the scheme.
“The opening of the Kwara South Senatorial District Hub of the Kwara Health Insurance Agency at the General Hospital, Omu-Aran will enhance the healthcare delivery system in the Senatorial District as our people will no longer have to travel a long distance to access cheap, effective and efficient healthcare services,” she said.
AbdulRazaq, who spoke through Mrs Esther Olufolake Oyinloye, wife of the TIC Chairman, Irepodun local government, enjoined the people of Omu-Aran and its environs to avail themselves the opportunity of free healthcare to enrich their health status.
She applauded the government for its pro-masses policies and programmes, including how it is taking bold steps to increase the beneficiaries of the health insurance programme.
Executive Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter, for her part, described social health insurance as the only financing vehicle available to subsidize health services for all segments of the population regardless of their socio-economic status.
“Today, we are here and excited to officially open the 4th office in the state in the historic town of Omu Aran in Irepodun LGA. This office will serve residents of Irepodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Ekiti LGAs of the state,” she said, adding that Baruten LG will also get the insurance office soon.
“These regional offices will provide the same services to the people in these catchment areas, just as we would provide from our office in Ilorin. At these regional offices, potential beneficiaries can register for health insurance, enroll, make inquiries, address complaints and concerns, and offer many more services”.
State Coordinator, National Health Insurance Authority, Hajia Idayat Bello, appreciated the Governor’s investments in the health sector and pledged continued support to the administration to ensure that no one is left behind in the drive for universal health coverage.