Biodun Esan, Ilorin
Kwara State Health Insurance Agency (KW-HIA) has opened a regional office in Okuta, Baruten local government area, as part of the administration’s strategy to deepen coverage across the state.
This brings to five the number of the Agency’s regional offices across the state, having earlier inaugurated same in Kaiama, Edu, Offa, and Irepodun local governments.
A statement signed by Mashood, Abdulrafiu Agboola, Deputy Chief Press Secretary Government House Ilorin, said the Okuta regional office is expected to serve the residents of Okuta, Yashikira, Gwanara, and Alesha Emirate Councils of Baruten local government.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the wife of Baruten Local Government Chairman, Hajia Sa’adatu Issa Jibril, commended the Governor for his heavy investments in the health sector and for supporting the health insurance agency to thrive.
Kwara State’s First Lady, Amb. (Mrs) Olufolake AbdulRazaq, while speaking at the ceremony on Tuesday, described the agency’s action as appropriate, saying the people now have improved access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
The First Lady pledged continuous support for the agency and other relevant organizations towards promoting access to quality healthcare delivery to the people of the state.
In attendance were the Executive Secretary of Kwara State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Olubunmi Jetawo-Winter; representative of the Chairman, Baruten Local Government and Head of Education Department, Mallam Jibril Mansine; representative of the National Health Insurance Agency, Dr Saka Ismail; some traditional and religious leaders led by the Makama Okuta, Alhaji Adamu Yusuf; and Chief Imam of Okuta, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi; among others.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary, Jetawo-Winter described social health insurance as the most sustainable financing mechanism for equitable healthcare access.
According to her, health insurance would bridge socioeconomic divides, improve service quality, and enhance affordability, among other benefits.
She said the agency is working hard to ensure that no part of the state is left out of the health insurance coverage, hence the opening of regional offices.
“Today marks another milestone in our journey toward ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services are made available, and much closer to the people.
“As part of our strategies to ensure that access and availability of healthcare services is made convenient for beneficiaries, the agency decided to open regional offices in areas that are much farther away from our head office in Ilorin, to feed into our hub (Central Office) in Ilorin.
“The regional spokes are meant to provide the same services to the people in these catchment areas, just as we would provide from our head office in Ilorin, including health insurance registration, enrollment, inquiries, and complaint resolution,” Jetawo-Winter said.
She said the focus of the agency is not just to open offices but also to ensure that quality improvement plans (QIPs) are implemented for better standards.
The Executive Secretary explained that the staff stationed at the regional office will conduct community advocacy to raise awareness, as they also work closely with the head office to enhance efficiency and responsiveness.
Alhaji Issa Jibril, a member of the community, appreciated the state government for its passion and commitment to the well-being of the people at the grassroots.
He called on the people of the community and its environs to enrol on the programme, promising that the community would complement the agency’s drive to onboard more people.
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