No fewer than 10,000 vulnerable children in public primary schools have been enrolled into the Health Insurance Scheme under the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA).
Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, presented the health insurance identity cards to beneficiaries at the flag-off of the public primary pupils health insurance scheme, held at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi Ape, Ibadan, on Thursday.
The pupils were drawn from 90 schools across 18 of the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.
He said: “We have to appreciate OYSHIA for deeming it fit to extend this initiative to public schools in Oyo State. Currently, they have captured 90 schools and we are going to reach around 10,000 pupils within the shortest time.
“We have five major zones and I know that 18 local government areas have been captured through this current exercise. You must extend this laudable exercise to other zones as well.
“UNICEF, we must commend you because, as it has been indicated several decades back, you have given support to our public primary and secondary schools. I want to urge you not to relent in your efforts in giving support
“This is because we want these children to grow and showcase their talents under a conducive environment and atmosphere health-wise.
“The environment is duly challenged as you know. Even, their habitation cannot be described as the best we can have in the world. Some of them are coming from homes that don’t have lavatories and are choked up.
“But with this intervention, it means that different diseases can be prevented and that is why I am commending your efforts so that our children will be healthy under a good learning environment.”
