Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has enlisted 1000 beneficiaries in Community Health Insurance Scheme in Kwara State.
The Scheme, the first of its kind by an individual in the state, was put together by the Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Foundation.
Speaking during the event, Saraki who attended the ceremony with his wife, Toyin said the insurance scheme was established to ensure that people in the state have access to good healthcare.
According to him, “This initiative is in line with my aspirations for the improvements of access to healthcare in the country.
“When I was the Governor of Kwara State, I introduced the Community Health Insurance Scheme (CHIS) to make quality healthcare services affordable to the majority of Kwarans most of whom live in the rural areas.
“As the President of the Senate, we guaranteed that one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund would be used to fund primary healthcare across the country”, he noted.
He said the event was part of his effort to support the informal sector and the indegent population to enroll on the scheme.
He said the beneficiaries supported at the rate of six thousand naira per head covers will increase yearly for the next five years.
Speaking during the programme, a public health specialists, Dr Bukola-Shittu Muideen, who is among the advisers of the scheme said the scheme covers treatment of ailments like malaria, typhoid, diabetes and minor and intermediate surgeries like cesarian operation.
She said the ABS foundation collaborated with the Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association (IEYDA) to select beneficiaries across the 16 local government of Kwara State.
Two of the beneficiaries, Abukakar Sofiat and Elder Raphael Ogedengbe thanked Saraki for the gesture adding that it will make health insurance affordable to the many residents who are groaning under the high cost of health treatment.
