The Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye has disclosed that the community-based primary health insurance scheme, Araya, has been extended to tertiary institutions across the state.
Dr. Ipaye, who made this known at the presentation of cheques to beneficiaries of the scheme at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta said the Araya scheme which was targeted at the less privileged in the community has been extended to include tertiary institutions so as to accommodate people with special intervention.
“Araya is targeted particularly at those who are vulnerable within our population, but we have discovered that some beneficiaries required special interventions and we have gotten the governor’s approval to extend the coverage for people under Araya to tertiary care”, Ipaye said.
He said the state will not rest on its oars to ensure that the state maternal mortality rate continues to improve and that no woman die at childbirth in the state.
“Araya has supported the health services delivery in Ogun State to such an extent that maternal mortality is three times better than that of Nigeria while infant mortality is four times better. We are not there yet but we are on the path of making sure that no woman die of childbirth in our state,” he said.
The Secretary to the state Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa while presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries expressed joy at the success of the Araya scheme, stating that the presentation will put an end to every doubt about the authenticity of the scheme.