The Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Commission plans to enroll at least 1,000 retirees as part of efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare services across the state, the Director-General, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin, has said.
Oyeneyin disclosed this while speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Akure.
He said the initiative followed the recent commencement of informal sector participation in the state health insurance scheme by Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
According to him, the commission has partnered with Stanbic IBTC and the Ondo State Government to enroll an additional 1,000 retirees, while also engaging the National Union of Pensioners to ensure wider participation across the state.
Oyeneyin said the commission was intensifying efforts to penetrate the informal sector, with ongoing engagements involving commercial motorcycle operators, market women, artisans and other groups to promote inclusive healthcare access in communities across Ondo State.
He explained that the programme aligned with the governor’s “Our Ease” agenda, which prioritizes efficient healthcare delivery and improved socioeconomic welfare.
Oyeneyin added that collaborations with key stakeholders had helped ensure the availability of essential drugs through effective commodity management systems.
He said recruitment of health personnel was ongoing across primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities to guarantee timely treatment and improved quality of care for enrollees in state hospitals.
According to him, stakeholder engagements had generated valuable feedback to enhance service delivery, while the commission’s 24-hour helpline remained operational and was being strengthened with Starlink network support to improve statewide access.
The director-general said the commission had not owed any service provider since 2019 and would further strengthen its automated claims management system to ensure payments are made within the stipulated 30-day timeframe across all accredited facilities.
