In a bid to prioritize the welfare of retirees, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced the enrollment of 23,000 pensioners in the state into a health insurance scheme. The governor made this disclosure during the official unveiling of the enrollment process in Osogbo on Wednesday.
Governor Adeleke emphasized the commitment of his administration to the well-being of pensioners, highlighting that the retirees were enrolled in the state health insurance scheme free of charge. He underscored the importance of addressing the health challenges faced by pensioners, stating that a situational review conducted by the government revealed that a significant portion of pension funds goes into managing their health.
“I am here to again demonstrate in clear terms my commitment to the wellbeing of our retired citizens. Our administration conducted a situational review of the living conditions of our pensioners. We discovered that the critical problem is not just unpaid pensions. Even when paid regularly, the bulk of the fund goes into managing health challenges,” the governor explained.
He further elaborated on the government’s decision to intervene directly, stating, “Our report concluded that almost 80 percent of pensioners’ problems center around health questions. It was at this point that we decided to address the root cause. We opted to meet our senior citizens at their point of need. It is gratifying to note that this program is the first of its kind.”
Governor Adeleke urged all 23,000 pensioners in Osun State to take advantage of the health insurance scheme, emphasizing that this initiative is a direct intervention to fulfill the desires and aspirations of the people.
Addressing concerns about the impact of the recently unveiled multi-billion naira infrastructure plan on workers and pensioners, the governor reassured the public. “Allow me to allay the fears of workers and pensioners. The funding for the infra plan will have no negative impact on workers’ welfare. I have proved that fact today by launching this health insurance scheme for our pensioners,” he affirmed.
Governor Adeleke affirmed his commitment to fulfilling his electioneering promises to the people of Osun State.
Source: NAN
