) The Edo Government has inaugurated a health insurance programme expected to benefit 4,000 residents of Ovia federal constituency in the state.
Friday Aghedo, Chief Press Secretary to Edo Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Benin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the federal constituency comprises Ovia South West and Ovia North East Local Government Areas.
Aghedo said the programme was initiated during Idahosa’s tenure as the member representing the federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
According to him, more than 2,000 beneficiaries were enrolled on the scheme, while the next phase will bring the total to 4,000.
He said the State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Mr Theodore Ehannire, presented the health insurance cards to Idahosa and the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, in Benin.
He quoted Idahosa as saying that the initiative would ease medical costs for residents and widen access to quality healthcare.
The deputy governor noted that effective governance must prioritise human development and public health alongside physical infrastructure.
“This intervention is aimed at ensuring that our people have access to quality healthcare without the financial burden that often prevents many from seeking timely medical attention,” he said.
Earlier, Ehannire said all medical costs under the scheme had been fully prepaid, allowing beneficiaries to access healthcare at accredited hospitals without making direct payments.
He added that the package covered consultations, routine treatment, minor surgeries and maternal care.
Also speaking, Igbinedion described the scheme as a people oriented initiative that would curb self medication, improve maternal healthcare and enhance the well being of residents.(NAN)
