By Abiodun Tadese, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has flagged off the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP), which he said is designed to mitigate financial barrier to access healthcare services in the state.
The flag off ceremony which took place at the Contributory Health Commission office complex, Alagbaka Akure, had in attendance, Governor of the State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ag commissioner for health Jibayo Adeyeye, other top government functionaries, Traditional rulers, Abiyamo beneficiaries among others.
In his address at the flag off ceremony, the Governor said the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Programme (BHCPFP) is the second equity scheme of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), which is the brain child and glowing pride of his administration.
It would be recalled that Governor Akeredolu on 3rd of December, 2020 flagged off the first health insurance product of the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme, the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS), as the first equity health care scheme for the pregnant women and children below the age of 5years.
Akeredolu stated that the Abiyamo programme was classified an equity scheme because the vulnerable beneficiaries will not pay a ‘Kobo’ for antenatal care, delivery services including caesarean section, post delivery care up to six weeks after birth and treatment of under-5 children.
He said further that “within the limit of available resources, we have supported the specialists and general hospitals in the state to be able to act as referral centers for these 203 primary health care facilities under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Programme.
He also noted that his administration will not relent in providing more support in terms of human resources for health and infrastructural upgrade of the health care facilities in his second term in office.
Akeredolu declared that the 100 bed world class mother and child hospital in Ifon, Ose local government area of the State will soon be named after the late Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi.
Speaking earlier the Ag. commissioner for health, Dr Jibayo Adeyeye appreciated the effort of Governor Akeredolu for improving the health care facilities in the State.
While addressing the gathering, the General Manager of Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Dr Abiodun Oyeneyin noted that an estimated 20000 beneficiaries shall be enrolled across the 18 local government area under this programme and the beneficiaries shall be drawn from the National social register and through the State sponsored means of targeting the poor and vulnerable.
He said further that the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme (AMCHIS) has served has as a remarkable pilot for the Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme.
According to him “as at 31st December, 2020 and across the seven Hospitals providing services for the Abiyamo scheme, we have registered over 14000 beneficiaries out of which 11207 pregnant women have been issued kaadi igbeayo at no cost to access care under the scheme.
“It is worthy of note that 3183 deliveries have been recorded and 795 by caesarean sections.”
Some of the Abiyamo beneficiaries present at the event appreciated the governor for giving them opportunity to access health care services at no cost.
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