Governor Ododo Through KGSHIA Provides Free Health Insurance Coverage for Orphans at Ekundayo Orphanage Home, Yagba East
…Caregiver Describes Intervention as “Prayer Answered,” Says Healthcare Costs Have Been a Heavy Burden
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended the State Government’s healthcare protection programme to vulnerable children at the Ekundayo Orphanage Home, Isanlu, in Yagba East Local Government Area, through the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA).
The intervention provides free health insurance coverage for the orphans at the Home, giving them equitable and affordable access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services without the immediate burden of paying out-of-pocket at the point of care.
Under the health insurance arrangement, the beneficiaries are entitled to access healthcare services across the continuum of care, including primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare services, with appropriate referral pathways where specialised or higher-level medical intervention becomes necessary.
The development was formally communicated to the management and caregivers of the Home when the Executive Secretary of KGSHIA, Dr. Adekunle Aledare, accompanied by the Permanent Member II of the Agency, Hon. Abraham Jacob, and the Head of Account and Finance, Elder Clement Otitolaiye, visited the Ekundayo Orphanage Home.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Aledare explained that the initiative was in furtherance of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable and underserved members of the population are not excluded from quality healthcare because of financial constraints.
He disclosed that Governor Ododo had given the Agency a clear mandate to ensure that all recognised and duly registered orphanage homes in Kogi State are enrolled into the State’s health insurance programme at no cost to the beneficiaries.
According to him, the policy is designed to strengthen financial risk protection and promote universal health coverage by ensuring that children in institutional care have timely access to medically necessary healthcare services whenever the need arises.
Dr. Aledare noted that health insurance remains an important instrument for reducing the incidence of catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure, particularly among vulnerable households and institutions caring for children who may require medical attention unexpectedly.
He emphasised that no child should be denied or delayed in receiving appropriate healthcare simply because the cost of treatment is unaffordable at the point of need.
“With health insurance coverage, no one is expected to avoid or delay appropriate medical care because of lack of funds. It is our mandate at KGSHIA to ensure that out-of-pocket expenditure is reduced to the barest minimum for residents of Kogi State, particularly those enrolled under the State health insurance programme,” he said.
The Executive Secretary further explained that the enrolment of orphanages was not a new initiative of the Agency, noting that KGSHIA had earlier commenced the systematic enrolment of recognised and registered orphanage homes in Lokoja, the State capital.
He added that the exercise had subsequently been expanded to other Local Government Areas across the State, with the Agency taking the enrolment programme closer to vulnerable children in different communities.
Dr. Aledare stated that the inclusion of the Ekundayo Orphanage Home in the health insurance programme represents another important step towards ensuring that vulnerability, orphanhood or financial limitations do not become barriers to accessing quality healthcare.
He assured the management of the Home that the children would henceforth have access to healthcare within the scope of their health insurance coverage, including appropriate referral services whenever their medical conditions require care beyond the capacity of the primary or secondary healthcare facility.
He also reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to strengthening healthcare access and promoting quality, equitable healthcare delivery for residents of Kogi State, particularly vulnerable populations who require additional protection.
Receiving the gesture on behalf of the children and management of the Home, the caregiver and Director In-Charge, Mrs Grace Olusegun Cole, expressed wholehearted appreciation and deep gratitude to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, through the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, describing the intervention as a “Prayer Answered”.
Mrs Grace explained that the cost of healthcare had been a significant and, at times, overwhelming challenge for the Home, particularly when medical emergencies occurred and immediate attention was required.
According to the Director In-charge, the financial demands associated with consultation, investigations, medications, treatment and other medical interventions could place considerable pressure on the resources available for the care and welfare of the children.
She noted that healthcare access had been inconveniently expensive and financially burdensome, especially during emergency situations when treatment could not be postponed and funds had to be sourced at very short notice.
With the health insurance coverage now provided for the children, the caregiver said the Home could finally have a sigh of relief, knowing that the children would no longer have to face the same level of financial uncertainty whenever they require healthcare.
The caregiver expressed confidence that the intervention would improve the children’s ability to seek timely, appropriate and quality healthcare, while also reducing the financial hardship previously associated with accessing medical services.
“This is truly a prayer answered. We are deeply grateful to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, through KGSHIA, for remembering these children and coming to our aid. Healthcare has been very expensive for us, particularly when emergencies arise. Sometimes, the financial burden can be very heavy. But with this opportunity, we can now breathe a sigh of relief and remain assured that access to quality and equitable healthcare services is available to the children without the limitations we have experienced before,” the caregiver stated.
Mrs Grace further appreciated the KGSHIA delegation for bringing the programme directly to the Home and for demonstrating that the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children remain a priority of the present administration.
The intervention underscores the importance of social health protection and inclusive health insurance coverage as mechanisms for advancing universal health coverage, improving healthcare utilisation and protecting vulnerable populations from financial hardship arising from illness.
For the children of Ekundayo Orphanage Home, the development represents more than an insurance enrolment. It offers renewed assurance that when illness occurs, access to appropriate healthcare should not be determined by the ability to pay at the point of service.
The Kogi State Health Insurance Agency therefore remains committed to implementing its mandate of expanding health insurance coverage across the State and ensuring that vulnerable residents including children in recognised and registered orphanage homes are brought within the protective umbrella of health insurance.
The Agency further encourages all recognised and registered orphanage homes in Kogi State that are yet to be enrolled to take advantage of the State Government’s commitment to inclusive health insurance coverage as the enrolment drive continues across the State.
Signed:
Public Relations, Advocacy and Communications Department (PRAC)
Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KGSHIA)