About 4,000 residents of Edo State's Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas are set to benefit from expanded health insurance coverage under a National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) programme aimed at making essential healthcare more affordable and accessible.
The initiative was officially flagged off on Thursday by Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, during a presentation in Benin. According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, the programme was facilitated by Idahosa during his tenure as the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The rollout has already recorded significant progress, with more than 2,000 beneficiaries successfully enrolled. A second phase of enrolment is expected to raise the total number of beneficiaries to approximately 4,000.
During the ceremony, Edo State NHIA Coordinator, Dr Theodore Ehannire, presented official NHIA health insurance cards to Deputy Governor Idahosa and the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Omosede Igbinedion.
Idahosa said the intervention was designed to ease the financial burden of medical care by reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring more residents can receive timely treatment. He noted that responsive leadership should invest not only in physical infrastructure but also in human capital and public health, adding that no one should be denied quality healthcare because of financial constraints.
Providing an update on the programme, Dr Theodore Ehannire disclosed that more than 2,000 beneficiaries have already been enrolled under the scheme. He explained that their NHIA health insurance cards have been activated for use at accredited hospitals across Edo State and that all medical expenses covered under the programme have been fully paid, allowing beneficiaries to receive approved healthcare services without making direct payments at the point of care.
Under the programme, beneficiaries will receive medical consultations, treatment, minor surgical procedures and maternal healthcare services, including safe delivery for pregnant women.
Ehannire praised the deputy governor for prioritising the health and well-being of residents, expressing confidence that the initiative would strengthen access to quality healthcare across the benefiting communities.
Also speaking, Omosede Igbinedion described the programme as a people-centred intervention with long-term benefits for constituents. She said the true measure of good governance lies not only in infrastructure projects but also in policies that directly improve people's lives, stressing that there is no price that can be placed on health because health is wealth and life itself.
She added that the scheme would help curb self-medication, improve maternal and child healthcare, and enhance the overall well-being of residents.
As enrolment continues, another batch of beneficiaries is expected to increase the total number of people covered to about 4,000 across Ovia South-West and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas, further expanding access to affordable healthcare services at accredited medical facilities throughout Edo State.
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