The Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has credited the free enrolment of 20,000 retirees into the State Health Insurance Scheme with a significant reduction in mortality among its members.
Describing the initiative as a timely intervention, the union said it has enhanced access to quality healthcare for senior citizens across the state.
Speaking at the NUP State Secretariat in Osogbo, Comrade Lawrence Aina disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration enrolled 20,000 members into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (O-HIS) in 2023.
He noted that the union monitored the process closely to ensure all members were captured, adding that additional retirees continue to be enrolled daily.
Aina explained that while the scheme initially covered minor illnesses, advocacy by the union has expanded its scope to partially cover surgical procedures.
He urged the government to further improve the scheme by covering the full cost of surgery for pensioners to better safeguard the welfare of senior citizens.
He added, “The enrolment of 20,000 members has been transformative. Many of our pensioners earn between N350 and N750 monthly, making access to medical care extremely difficult. With the additional N25,000 provided under the current government, our members now have much-needed relief for healthcare expenses.”
“The enrolment even reduced the death rate of people, so we are thanking the Governor for what he has done. In addition, we have to thank the OHIS. We went there to complain that our deep well is not in good condition again, and they gave us a free borehole which has been sunk and has been in operation since.”
Aina said, “We are not yet satisfied; we still need more. Some circulars need to be implemented by the government. We implore the Governor to please implement all this (APULAS) quickly so that our pensioners will continue to pray for him.”
Similarly, a pensioner, Comrade Olusegun Ayodele, lauded Governor Adeleke for the initiative, saying, “Before now, I spent more than N7,000 on my healthcare monthly, even though I don’t have a proper healthcare facility; now I can visit a proper facility at no cost.”
