Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has formally enrolled all retired civil servants in the state into the Orange Health Insurance Scheme, with full government funding of their coverage. The announcement was made on Monday at the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies held at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure. Aiyedatiwa stated the move responds to rising healthcare costs associated with aging, ensuring retirees access consultations, treatment, medication, and specialised services without financial burden.
The governor described the inclusion of pensioners in ORANGHIS as a landmark policy shift, removing financial barriers to premium medical care. He emphasized that retirees, having served the state, now face age-related health challenges that require urgent support. To strengthen healthcare delivery, his administration has initiated construction and upgrades of medical facilities and is recruiting more medical practitioners.
Aiyedatiwa also approved a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund, separate from regular health spending, to expand and modernise hospitals across Ondo State. He linked recent health sector progress to strategic planning and commitment to citizen welfare. The summit, themed "Economic realities and the universal health coverage dream: mobilising states for scalable health Insurance", gathered policymakers, health managers, and officials to discuss sustainable health financing.
Health Commissioner Banji Ajaka, in his welcome address, called the summit a timely opportunity to confront systemic challenges in Nigeria's health sector. He stressed the need for innovative financing, efficient resource use, and broader coverage for vulnerable groups and the informal sector under current economic pressures.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa is funding free health insurance for Ondo pensioners while allocating N1 billion to hospital upgrades, yet many active public servants still rely on dilapidated facilities. If the state can fully cover retirees, the same standard should apply to current workers who keep the system running. The governor's focus on premium care for former employees exposes a tiered system where service rewards come only after exit. Active health workers may question why their access isn't equally prioritised.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
