The Osun State Government has extended health coverage to inmates in the correctional facilities at Ilesa and Ile-Ife, enrolling them into the Osun State Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS).
The enrollment program was unveiled by Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Ilesa Medium Correctional Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS). He emphasized that inmates are bona fide citizens of Osun and Nigeria and assured that his administration provides healthcare without discrimination based on political affiliation, tribe, religion, or gender.
“Today, we extend our healthcare coverage to inmates of correctional centres as a demonstration of our concern for the health and well-being of every segment of our society,” Adeleke said. He highlighted that over 26,000 pensioners had previously been enrolled in the scheme for free, a move that has inspired similar initiatives by other states and the federal government. Additionally, persons living with disabilities have also benefited from free enrollment.
Dr. Rasaq Akindele, Executive Secretary of OHIS, praised the governor for his support, noting that the agency’s success is largely due to the attention given by the state leadership.
The Controller of the Correctional Centre, Olalekan Oluwadele, added that Governor Adeleke’s presence at the event underscores his commitment to inmate welfare. He confirmed that 1,200 inmates have been enrolled in the health insurance scheme, following discussions with the OHIS Executive Secretary in September 2024.
The move highlights Osun State’s ongoing efforts to expand access to healthcare and ensure inclusivity across all segments of society.
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