Health Insurance: 100 Sickle Cell Warriors Enrolled By Wife Of Kwara Governor
100 sickle cell patients have been enrolled in the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme by Mrs. Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the wife of Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State. The enrolment had been part of the activities to commemorate the 2022 World Sickle Cell Day.
Mrs. AbdulRazaq had been represented at the event, which was held on Sunday in Ilorin, by the Dr. Raji Razaq, the state Commissioner for Health. She stated that the aim of the insurance policy was to minimise the pains of sickle cell patients and to also educate and raise more awareness about the disease.
“My office through the Ajike People Support Centre is renewing the health policies for last year’s beneficiaries and also enrolling an additional 100 sickle cell warriors.”
Dr. Olubunmi Jetawo, the Executive Secretary, Kwara Health Insurance Agency, had called for support for sickle cell warriors in order for them live healthier and purposeful lives. Dr. Jetawo explained that the focus of the world sickle cell day was to celebrate people who are living with sickle cell and to also increase public knowledge on the management of the disease.
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According to her, the most common challenge of sickle cell patients was that out of pocket payments for healthcare often created huge financial burdens for the poor. She said that health insurance seeks to address social health disparity in healthcare services and reduce financial burden while emphasising health education. She stated that according to statistics, Nigeria is ranked high in the prevalence of sickle cell disease amongst the committee of nations.
“Last year the Ajike People Support Centre supported the premium payment for 100 sickle cell warriors. The Kwara health insurance agency supported premiums for three warriors who were under the age of 18. This year the wife of the governor has not only paid for the renewal of the policies of these 100 warriors but also financially supported the new enrolment of additional warriors.”
Mrs. Titilayo Makinde-Bamidele, who is a sickle cell warrior and the Founder of Pearls Sickle Cell Initiative, stated that most warriors lived in physical and spiritual ignorance and added that the disease can easily affect any part of the body. Mrs. Makinde-Bamidele gave her appreciation to the governor’s wife and said that they are grateful that the warriors can now access medical care. She encouraged for all sickle cell warriors to keep their hope alive and live healthy.
Mr. Shittu Kabiru, who had spoken on the behalf of the beneficiaries, also gave his appreciation to Mrs. AbdulRazaq for the initiative and enjoined well-meaning individuals to also emulate the kind gesture.
The beneficiaries were given certificates of re-enrolment and fresh enrolment.
SOURCE: NAN
