Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, has underscored the need for Civil Servants to key into the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme (OGSHIC) as a healthy workforce is pivotal to a productive performance.
Hon. Hamzat stated this during an awareness talk by the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA) management organised for the staffers in the Ministry, held at Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The Commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, emphasised that the greatest wealth in life is health, which must be well prioritised, pointing out that the scheme was germane, especially with the present economic situation in the country.
“Health is wealth. If a man is healthy, he has hope. It is a workforce that is healthy that can be productive. The scheme is a platform that we would embrace and ensure all members of staff are put on board. You will agree with me that the situation in the country calls for a lot of support and in whatever form that we can give to those who are doing their best in ensuring the Ministry keeps achieving its purpose, we would do so’’, he said.
While reiterating that the welfare of its staffers was paramount, the Commissioner revealed that the Ministry would pay the full package for its permanent staffers, to ensure effective and efficient output.
Speaking, Executive Secretary, OGSHIA, Dr. Afolabi Dosunmu, assured that the scheme was established by law with provision of affordable healthcare services, adding that subscribers could access quality healthcare in about 305 facilities in the state, with at least 10 in each Local Government Area and 75 private hospitals nearest to them.
“With one thousand naira per month, which translates to N12,000 per year for an individual plan or four thousand per year, translating to N48,000 per year for a family plan, one can be registered on the scheme”, he said.
He noted that many deaths would have been averted if there was access to a health insurance scheme, stressing that prompt diagnosis, early screening, and prevention were key to a healthy living.
In their separate remarks, two staffers, Mr. Sunday Oduntan and Mrs. Olamide Waston, commended the initiative, promising to be effective in their job delivery.