The state commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu has explained that the aimed of the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency includes reduction of user fees which constitute a major barriers in accessing healthcare needs at the point of service delivery, noting thst it will help to provide financial risk protection to citizens of Kogi State and among other things, will also help in strengthening health system in the state.
The program is expected to enroll 19,177 civil servants with 4-5 defendants in the state, 31,491 persons through the Basic healthcare Provision Fund.
Onogwu Muhammed, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor said the programme will also covers pregnant women, children under-5, physically, mentally challenged persons, elder (70-years and above excluding retirees) and any other groups considered as vulnerable as determined by the board of the agency.
Speaking on behalf of the Organised Labour in the state, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Kogi State Chapter, Comrade Meliga Obaka described the initiative as brand new baby of the New Direction Administration, noting that past administrations made effort to set up health insurance agency but could not succeed.
