Adeleke unveils health insurance for Osun monarchs, says 200 PHCs rehabilitated

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced the commencement of free health insurance coverage for traditional rulers and their spouses across the state, as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.

 

Adeleke unveiled the initiative on Tuesday in Osogbo during the inauguration of the newly completed Osun Health Insurance Multipurpose Hall, where he also presented health insurance cards to monarchs to officially launch the programme.

 

The governor said the initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare services without financial burden, particularly for traditional institutions that play key roles in community development.

 

“The free enrolment initiative is another bold step by our administration to ensure that traditional rulers and their queens enjoy access to healthcare. We are determined to provide qualitative healthcare services without financial hardship, in line with the government’s people-centred health policy,” Adeleke said.

 

Highlighting his administration’s achievements in the health sector, Adeleke said more than 200 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) have been rehabilitated across the state since he assumed office.

 

He also listed other projects executed by his administration, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, schools, agricultural interventions, payment of salary and pension arrears, and investments in infrastructure.

 

“Our administration has delivered across the sectors: over 300 kilometres of roads, over 200 rehabilitated primary care centres, over 150 rehabilitated schools, ongoing payments of salary debt and pensions, almost N2bn for cooperative financing, new tractors and farm inputs for farmers, ongoing five-star stadium, and so many other deliveries of good governance,” he said.

 

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Agency (OHIS), Dr Rasaq Akindele, described the initiative as a strategic milestone aimed at strengthening public confidence in the state’s health insurance scheme.

 

Akindele said enrolling traditional rulers and their spouses was not only about providing healthcare coverage but also about using their influence to encourage wider participation in the scheme.

 

“Royal Fathers are the custodians of our culture, the gatekeepers of our communities and trusted voices whose influence transcends social, political and religious divides.

 

“By enrolling them into the Scheme, we are not only recognizing their invaluable contributions to community development but also empowering them to serve as ambassadors and advocates for social health insurance at the grassroots,” he said.

 

The agency said arrangements had been concluded to begin the registration and enrolment of monarchs across the state, with officials scheduled to visit royal palaces for the exercise.

 

OHIS said the initiative aligns with the Adeleke administration’s commitment to ensuring accessible, affordable and quality healthcare delivery for residents of Osun State regardless of social status.