*Free services include antenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, family planning, child care, nutrition, malaria treatments – Govt
By John Odunjo
Traditional rulers in Ekiti State have lauded the health intervention programmes of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji administration, saying they will make people of the state live healthy lives.
The intervention schemes particularly included the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and Ulerawa programmes across the state.
The traditional rulers including the Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Oba (Dr) Adetunji David Ajayi; and the Olowuro of Orun Ekiti, Oba Zaccheus Adewunmi, spoke during a sensitisation and health outreach programme for the people of Ise/Orun Local Government which held at Ise Ekiti.
The sensitisation and health outreach programme organized by the Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme to expand and increase citizen’s access to both programmes in the state also received accolades from the Ise and Orun Ekiti communities.
Oba Ajayi, who was represented by Chief Benjamin Ojo, called on people of Ise Ekiti and indeed the local government to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the programmes to live a healthy living.
The monarch offered prayers for the success of the Governor Oyebanji administration.
The Olowuro, Oba Adewummi, who applauded the governor for the programmes, described them as “timely health interventions that will guarantee better and quality healthcare service delivery for the entire population of the state”.
The Health Commissioner, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said that the twin programmes of BHCPF and Ulerawa “provide free healthcare services at 177 public health centres across the state”.
Filani, who was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Ayodele Seluwa, noted that services rendered free at the facilities include “maternal health care such as antenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, family planning and child care, nutrition and malaria treatments for all groups of people”.
The General Manager, Ekiti State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Charles Doherty, said that the state government had committed huge amount of money to the two programmes to ensure that Ekiti residents live in good health.
Doherty added that collection of cards, consultation and laboratory tests are also free of charge at the facilities.
The Chairman, Ise/Orun Local Government Area, Engr Akinluyi Ayodele and the National Health Insurance Authority Representative, Mr Gafar praised Governor Oyebanji for the programme.
They called on residents to maximize the opportunity provided by the government gesture to attend to their various health challenges.
