IBADAN/Nigeria: The Oyo State Government has officially launched the enrollment of 10,000 public primary school pupils into its healthcare insurance scheme, reinforcing its commitment to child welfare and universal health coverage.
The pupils, drawn from 90 schools across 18 local government areas, received their health insurance ID cards on Thursday at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi-Ape. The event was presided over by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal, who described the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring the well-being of schoolchildren.
“This scheme will ensure that our children have sound minds while they learn in conducive environments,” Lawal stated, applauding the collaboration between the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) and the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB).
He further urged OYSHIA to intensify efforts to extend the scheme to every school in the state while encouraging parents and guardians to embrace the program.
In her goodwill message, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, emphasized that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right for every child.
“This initiative reinforces our collective commitment to universal health coverage, ensuring that no child faces financial obstacles to accessing healthcare,” she said.
She noted that healthcare access is not just a medical priority but a social and economic necessity, allowing children to focus on education, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to society. She added that UNICEF remains committed to supporting the government and communities in achieving universal health coverage.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, lauded OYSHIA and OYOSUBEB for their dedication to the scheme, assuring them of her ministry’s full backing.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, pledged the board’s commitment to the program’s sustainability, stressing that “At OYOSUBEB, we operate on the principle of taking care of the pupils under our care as though they are ours.”
The Executive Secretary of OYSHIA, Dr. Olusola Akande, disclosed that in addition to the 10,000 pupils currently enrolled, another 5,500 will be added to the scheme starting next week. He credited UNICEF’s support for helping expand community-based health insurance coverage and commended the OYOSUBEB chairman’s leadership in ensuring a seamless rollout.
The event was attended by key stakeholders in the health and education sectors, alongside the benefiting pupils.
