Oyo earmarks nearly N2bn for healthcare coverage of vulnerable residents
By Adejayan Gbenga
The Oyo State Government has budgeted nearly N2 billion under its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAFER) programme to provide healthcare coverage for vulnerable residents across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Adewumi Ajetunmobi, disclosed this during a stakeholders and partners’ meeting in Ibadan, saying the intervention was aimed at supporting indigent and vulnerable residents who may be unable to afford healthcare services.
Ajetunmobi said the beneficiaries would include vulnerable residents, children under five, elderly persons and pregnant women, who would be enrolled in the state’s health insurance arrangements.
She explained that the initiative would complement basic healthcare interventions supported by the Federal Government and the state government, particularly for residents in vulnerable categories.
According to the commissioner, the SAFER programme has provided close to N2 billion to enable eligible residents to enrol in the health insurance scheme and reduce the financial burden of accessing medical care.
She added that beneficiaries would be able to access healthcare services and available treatment packages at designated health facilities across the state.
Ajetunmobi said the intervention was part of the government’s broader efforts to expand access to affordable healthcare and ensure that financial constraints did not prevent vulnerable residents from receiving essential medical services.
The commissioner added that the government would continue to expand healthcare coverage to more eligible residents, particularly those in vulnerable groups, as part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare across Oyo State.
