Excitement and encomium reigned among senior citizens in Osun state as they begin registration for enrolment into a comprehensive healthcare plan provided by Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday.
The Executive Secretary of Osun Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Rasak Akindele, had on Thursday disclosed the directive of Governor Adeleke to enroll 19,000 pensioners in the state in the health scheme, offering reprieve to senior citizens confronted by one health challenge or the other.
The healthcare plan, which is the first in the history of the state, triggered wild excitement among pensioners who applauded the intervention as lifesaving.
At Osogbo where the registration took off on Monday, the excitement of pensioners could be noticed from afar, as they lauded Governor Adeleke for taking their wellbeing seriously.
A pensioner who simply identified herself as Rev’d Mother Folayemi Ayanfe, commended Governor Adeleke for the healthcare plan, noting that this will decisively handle the health challenges faced by senior citizens and improve their situations significantly.
Revd Mother Ayanfe who tried to quantify the impact of the intervention, said the healthcare coverage to be provided by Governor Adeleke will enable pensioners have access to quality healthcare services and drastically reduce the occurrence of avoidable deaths among the senior citizens.
“What the Governor (Adeleke) is doing with this enrollment of pensioners is unprecedented. Given our ages, it is expected that we will have one form of health challenges or the other, and the pressure of managing it is cumbersome,” Mr. Olabamiji who retired as a Vice Principal in one of the public schools in the state noted.
“In fact, many of us spend whatever we get in term of entitlements on healthcare, which ieven n many cases, was not enough. But that worry will cease with this as the healthcare scheme will significantly cater for our health needs. This is incredible and I must commend Mr. Governor for showing yet that he truly cares for us (pensioners).”
Speaking in similar vein, Prince Akintunde Akindiran said the healthcare coverage provided by Governor Adeleke is yet a demonstration of his commitment to their wellbeing, noting that welfare of pensioners has witnessed significant improvement since the Governor assumed office.
He scored Governor Adeleke high on improving the situation of pensioners in the state in tandem with his campaign promises, pointing out that welfare of the senior citizens has improvement since advent of His Excellency’s administration..
“This Governor (Adeleke) is God sent, because he has been so good to us (pensioners). Aside the improvement he has ensured in the payment of pension and gratuities, this healthcare coverage he is providing for us will make significant impact in our lives,” Prince Akindiran noted.
“Before now, many pensioners struggled to manage their health, and unfortunately caused avoidable death of affected individuals. But with this plan, we no longer have to worry, as the very great gesture will avail us the needed healthcare whenever the need arises. For this, I thank Governor Adeleke and pray that God will continue to uphold him in offering more services to the people.”
The registration of pensioners on the healthcare plan commenced on Monday, with retirees from Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency, Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency and Ayediire/Iwo/ Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency to be captured on the health scheme.
The registration of pensioners for the healthcare scheme takes place at their respective local governments as agreed by the leadership of the pensioners’ union.
