The Ondo State Governor
.. says Ondo first to implement new salary structure for health workers_
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday restated his administration’s commitment to universal health coverage, declaring that access to quality healthcare must not be determined by a citizen’s economic status.
In a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan the governor disclosed this at the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome), Akure.
At the summit, which attracted policymakers, health insurance managers, development partners and government officials from across the country, stakeholders deliberated on strategies for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) amid prevailing economic pressures.
Speaking on the theme, “Economic Realities and the Universal Health Coverage Dream: Mobilising States for Scalable Health Insurance,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said the debate around healthcare financing had become more urgent due to inflationary pressures and worsening economic conditions affecting households nationwide.
He noted that financial constraints often force families to delay seeking medical attention until conditions become severe and costlier to treat.
The governor stressed that social health insurance remains a critical instrument for shielding citizens from catastrophic health expenditure and ensuring equitable access to care irrespective of income.
He said his administration had prioritised healthcare through the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), which continues to expand insurance coverage and improve service delivery across the state.
He explained that the Orange Health Insurance Scheme currently covers public servants and their dependants, while registration has also commenced for informal sector participants and members of local security outfits.
He further highlighted the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Programme, which provides free antenatal services, safe delivery care, and health coverage for children under five years.
The governor also noted the implementation of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme, under which vulnerable residents across all 203 political wards in the 18 local government areas have been enrolled into health insurance schemes.
Reaffirming his administration’s inclusive approach, Governor Aiyedatiwa said healthcare protection must extend beyond formal sector workers to include elderly citizens, vulnerable groups and rural dwellers.
He therefore announced the formal inclusion of retirees into the Orange Health Insurance Scheme, with the state government assuming full financial responsibility for their enrolment.
According to him, the decision was informed by the increasing healthcare needs of pensioners, particularly the rising cost of medical care in old age.
He said the initiative would guarantee retirees access to consultations, treatment, medication and specialised services without financial burden.
To further strengthen healthcare delivery, Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the procurement of modern medical equipment for secondary health facilities across the state.
He added that government had embarked on the construction and upgrading of health infrastructure, alongside the recruitment of additional health workers to boost manpower.
The governor further revealed that Ondo State had become the first in the country to implement the newly approved salary structure for health workers.
He said the reform would improve welfare, reduce brain drain and encourage retention of skilled health professionals within the state system.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also announced the approval of a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund targeted at expanding and modernising healthcare facilities across the state.
He explained that the fund, separate from routine health expenditure, was designed to enhance hospital capacity and improve service delivery.
The governor attributed the achievements in the health sector to deliberate planning, strategic leadership and sustained commitment to citizens’ wellbeing.
He reiterated his administration’s resolve to achieve universal health coverage through strengthened monitoring, quality assurance mechanisms, facility audits and expanded enrolment of underserved populations.
Governor Aiyedatiwa urged State Social Health Insurance Agencies nationwide to sustain reforms aimed at improving access to affordable healthcare.
He also encouraged participants at the summit to strengthen collaboration, exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to healthcare delivery challenges.
In his welcome address, Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, described the summit as a timely platform to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s health sector.
He said current economic realities required states to adopt innovative financing strategies to sustain healthcare delivery.
According to him, reliance on traditional funding models is no longer sufficient, stressing the need for efficient resource mobilisation, reduced leakages and expanded reach to the informal sector and vulnerable populations.
He noted that State Social Health Insurance Agencies remain central to achieving universal health coverage at the grassroots.
Awolowo-Ajaka said the summit would enable chief executives of SSHIAs to share experiences, align strategies with the National Health Insurance Authority and adopt sustainable financing models.
Also speaking, Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the Forum of Health Commissioners, Dr Oyebanji Filani, commended Ondo State for recording the lowest neonatal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria.
He said data from the National Demographic and Health Survey showed neonatal mortality at three per 1,000 live births and infant mortality at eight per 1,000.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for increasing fiscal resources available to states, stressing that emphasis should now be placed on effective utilisation.
He said universal health coverage should be treated as a prioritisation framework rather than merely a financing issue.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies and Director-General of the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency, Dr Kabir Mustapha, described the summit as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards universal health coverage.
He said it marked the first coordinated gathering of all state health insurance agencies and the Federal Capital Territory under a unified platform.
Mustapha also commended Ondo State for hosting the summit and acknowledged the reforms led by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Health, Prof Simidele Odimayo, attributed the state’s achievements to the governor’s commitment to healthcare reform.
He said the administration had renovated primary healthcare centres, strengthened secondary facilities and restructured tertiary institutions.
Odimayo added that drug supply systems had been strengthened through the Ondo State Drugs and Health Commodity Management Agency, while thousands of health workers had been recruited.
He said these interventions had improved emergency response and strengthened industrial harmony in the health sector.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said rising out-of-pocket expenditure continued to expose Nigerians to financial hardship.
He noted that over 90 per cent of Nigerians remained outside the formal insurance system, stressing that universal health coverage was essential to protecting citizens from medical poverty.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya; members of the State Executive Council; representatives from the 36 states; and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba (Dr) Victor Kiladejo.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
