By Oiza Bello
Kogi State Government has approved the immediate implementation of a three hundred thousand naira monthly intervention allowance for medical doctors in the state.
Governor Usman Ododo announced the approval during the official flag-off of the Access to Care coverage, which will provide health insurance for over 76,000 residents under the State Health Insurance Scheme.
The governor explained that the initiative was part of his administration’s efforts to address the challenge of medical brain drain, as many doctors continue to leave Nigeria for better opportunities abroad.
He said the allowance would serve as motivation to retain doctors and strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Reaffirming that health remains one of his administration’s top priorities, Governor Ododo also declared a free health insurance package for pensioners earning less than fifty thousand naira monthly.
According to him, pensioners earning above ₦50,000 will contribute ₦650 monthly, while those earning above ₦100,000 will contribute ₦1,250 monthly, noting that the arrangement was designed to ease the financial burden of healthcare on retirees, students, civil servants, and informal sector workers.
The governor further launched healthcare access for more than 28,000 local government workers under the Public Sector Employee Plan, over 3,000 pensioners under the Pensioners Contributory Health Plan, and over 44,000 students under the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).
Governor Ododo expressed gratitude to the state’s development partners, including WHO, UNICEF, CIHP, AHF, and Malaria Consortium, for their unwavering support toward improving healthcare in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulaziz Adeiz, described the interventions as measures aimed at placing the health sector on a sustainable path while making healthcare more affordable and accessible for citizens.
Meanwhile, the governor also announced the appointment of a Doctor. Ajidoh Monday as the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Agency for the Control of AIDS.
He said the appointment was in recognition of the Doctor. Monday’s selfless service during past disease outbreaks, including COVID-19 and Lassa fever.
Edited by Ajifa Ainoko
About The Author
