From Editor
The Oyo State Government on Thursday officially flagged off the Public Primary School Pupils Health Insurance Scheme, aimed at helping thousands of children gain access to quality medical care.
The initiative which was launched at the Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Ibadan, was a defining moment in child healthcare and a model for other states to emulate.
Many stakeholders who spoke at the launch, described the initiative as a landmark win for child welfare, a sign that children’s right is taking center stage, especially in Oyo State.
Speaking at the unveiling of the free health programme for the school children in public schools, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, highlighted the importance of early healthcare intervention.
He noted that a healthy student population is foundational to the state’s future development.
Lawal said that the scheme would cover a range of medical services, including routine check-ups, treatments, and emergency care, thereby reducing the financial burden on families and promoting uninterrupted learning.
The Deputy Governor however, called on parents and guardians to enroll their children promptly, assuring them of the government’s dedication to maintaining high standards of healthcare delivery within the programme.
He noted that this initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve public health infrastructure and outcomes in Oyo State.
Speaking at the event, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, lauded the state government’s commitment to children’s well-being.
She recalled seeing lively schoolboys playing on their way to school and pondering whether their families could afford medical care if one of them got injured.
“This initiative ensures that no child faces financial obstacles to accessing healthcare,” she said.
She noted universal health suffrage is not just a healthcare goal but an economic and social necessity.
“When children have access to healthcare, they can focus on education, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to the growth of Oyo State and Nigeria,” she said.
This invariably aligns with UNICEF’s mission of promoting equity by prioritizing vulnerable children.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency has described the initiative as the ninth healthcare access model introduced in the state.
According to him, OYSHIA has already provided access to quality healthcare for over 250,000 residents, reducing their out-of-pocket expenses from 75% to just 10%.
“Our resolve is to innovate or die,” he said, explaining the agency’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage.
The scheme’s initial rollout will provide healthcare to 10,000 public primary school pupils, with plans to enroll an additional 5,500 children in the coming weeks.
