HEALTHCARE SECTOR IN OSUN STATE UNDER GOVERNOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE: A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH

By Oni Gbenga Lawrence
November 25, 2023

For any elected figure, a year can mark a significant milestone in the fast-paced realm of politics. It is time to take stock of Governor Ademola Adeleke's first year in office, including his accomplishments, and overall effect on the state health care sector. An extensive evaluation cum comprehensive appraisal of Governor Adeleke's one-year term in the Osun state Health sector is provided below:
Under Governor Adeleke's administration, Osun State's healthcare sector has undergone a stunning transition in the last 12 months. The government's efforts have been praiseworthy, with a particular emphasis on enhancing accessibility, healthcare infrastructure, and civilian well-being. The objective of this article is to evaluate the health-related accomplishments and initiatives of the Osun State government in the first year of Governor Adeleke's administration.


HEALTH INSURANCE SERVICE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS

The substantial investment made in healthcare insurance during Governor Adeleke's administration is one of its most notable accomplishments. The government has shown that it is committed to building new healthcare facilities and renovating those that already exist to guarantee that all citizens have access to high-quality medical treatment. The state is now better equipped to handle new health issues because of the governor’s strategic approach, which has also increased the health sector's overall capacity.
Additionally, the government of Governor Adeleke has demonstrated a deep appreciation for community-based healthcare. To bring healthcare services closer to the public, especially in rural areas, a number of programs have been started. Disseminating health information, offering preventative treatments, and guaranteeing early disease identification have all been made possible by mobile clinics, health outreach programs, and community health professionals. A healthier and better-informed populace is a result of these initiatives.
In lieu of the foregoing, a report by Primeprogressng.com further highlights the Osun’s bumpy road to health for all successes after which corruption almost sent the health insurance policies of the state into oblivion, which the intervention of Governor Adeleke in providing adequate infrastructural development to community health insurance programs has eventually been a turning point in the continuity of the community health insurance services rendered to the people in the state.
Prior to Governor Adeleke’s initiative, earlier reports unveiled the deficit in the launch of the so-called Osun Health Insurance Scheme, or O'HIS, which in 2018 was another attempt by the government to extort workers, as it forced the enrollment of all civil staff and began withholding a 1.5% payment from their base pay.
According to a report by Primeprogressng.com, a patient of the health insurance scheme, Adebayo, however, became unwell in the quarter of 2019. He reluctantly took up his O'HIS card and went to one of the program's authorized hospitals in Osogbo, the state capital, where he resides. In addition to giving him what he called "adequate treatment" in the form of medication, the physicians diagnosed him with typhoid and malaria. He showed his card as identification of his O'HIS coverage and paid only 10% of the entire amount due.

However, Adebayo was not persuaded by the experience that the plan was viable and authentic. As the cost would have been ten times higher and he would have had to pay all of his bills out of pocket.
The Turning Point: A look at the failure of health insurance in Nigeria
Even though the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been in place since 2004, more than 90% of Nigerians do not have health insurance, hence they must pay for medical treatments out of pocket. The executive secretary of NHIS, Mohammed Sambo, stated in 2021 that the main reason for the organization's subpar performance was the Act that established it not making it mandatory. Additionally, it was unduly formal sector-focused, ignoring inhabitants of the informal sector such as vendors, artisans, and casual and domestic workers, even though the informal sector accounts for more than 60% of the country's GDP.

Nonetheless, a bill renaming the NHIS the National Health Insurance Authority and making it mandatory for all Nigerians to enroll in the program was successfully enacted by the national assembly in May of last year. To evaluate the effectiveness of the modified Act, however, is premature.
Local laws such as O'HIS attempt to reach a wider audience at the state level; nevertheless, because of inadequate implementation, several state programs have not fared as well as their federal counterparts. For instance, less than 10% of people who signed up for the FCT Health Insurance Scheme in Abuja were from the unorganized sector. The situation is similar in Delta State, where just 1.38 percent of all registrants work in the unorganized sector.
A look at How the O’HIS WORK
O’HIS offers provisions for traders, families, tertiary institution students, organized private sector, civil personnel, and traders to offer inexpensive healthcare services to all citizens. Public employees are covered by a government contribution of 3% and 1.5% of their base pay, whereas non-public employees must pay an annual premium of N12, 066 or N57, 600 for individuals or families, respectively, in order to receive the benefits.
Using an online application form, a person or family can register in a matter of minutes. Following enrollment, individuals are put in charge of finding the nearest accredited facility by being assigned to a health management organization, or HMO. HMOs are organizations that pay for the ability to sign up new members for public health insurance programs.
Under the program, 442 public and commercial health institutions ranging from basic healthcare facilities with inadequate equipment to secondary and tertiary hospitals with adequate furnishings have been accredited. A patient's primary hospital will refer them to a more equipped, accredited facility if their needs exceed what the facility they are enrolled in can provide.
Primary, secondary, and higher enrollment categories are used by the program, according to Adesakin Olatunji, an OHIS desk officer at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital.

"The primary category includes any patient receiving care from a general physician at a facility that has earned OHIS accreditation. Patients in this category only have to pay 10% of their costs because capitation pays the remaining amount. Osun Health Insurance Agency pays accredited health facilities N570 capitation per enrollee monthly depending on the number of enrollees under such a facility,” Olatunji said.
“Patients with a reason to see a specialist [like an ophthalmologist or a surgeon] fall under the secondary category, while those whose diagnosis falls beyond the scope of their facility and have to be referred to a more capable health care facility fall under the tertiary category.”
Patients under the secondary and tertiary categories are catered for through a “fee for service” policy. The policy mandates well-equipped accredited facilities to accept referred patients, treat them, collect only 10% of their bills, and later reclaim the remaining 90% from the Osun State Health Insurance Agency through their HMO.

From the aforementioned, aggregating the services of the O’HIS from inception, referencing the case of Adebayo and all the maladjustment within the scheme in the previous administration, compared to the reform provided by Governor Adeleke, it is no gainsaying that the health insurance has provided inclusiveness and reliability, because, from the unprecedented conundrums in the health care sector, with the ongoing service being rendered to the community at large now, Governor Adeleke’s administration has undoubtedly provided and demonstrated agility and responsiveness in managing the situation of health delivery services in the state by investing in health care infrastructure, distribution of medical supplies, and collaboration with the Federal government showcases commitment to the well-being of the citizens.


IMOLE MEDICAL OUTREACH

In order to ensure sustainability, inclusivity, and growth for the benefit of a large number of people, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke revealed that his administration intends to regularly offer free medical outreach. The medical outreach, however, has aided 2000 persons in each of the nine (9) federal constituencies in Osun State, and so far, over 20,000 patients has been a beneficiary of the Imole Mobile Surgical Medical Outreach.
In announcing the start of the second phase of Imole Medical and Surgical Outreach in Ilesa, Osun State, the governor gave the state commissioner for health instructions to develop a comprehensive plan in that regard. Recall that about 22,000 state residents benefited from surgeries, eye exams, and other medical services during the first phase of Imole Medical Outreach, which took place between February and April 2023. Governor Adeleke also stipulated that the initiative be integrated into all state-run healthcare facilities and reaffirmed his commitment to using public funds in order to enhance effectiveness in the program.
The success of the program in the meantime has demonstrated the Governor’s vision for a healthier and happier community, and the whole of Osun state citizens are inspired by the compassion and leadership the Governor has demonstrated. The Imole Outreach not only addresses immediate healthcare needs but also fosters a healthier population, which furthers the state's overall development and prosperity. It is a beacon of hope and a testament to Sen. Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to the well-being of the people he serve. Giving access to necessary medical services, especially to those who may not have the means to afford them, is a noble endeavor that reflects the Governor’s dedication to improving the health and quality of life for the citizens of Osun State.


WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTHCARE:

In light of the critical role that healthcare professionals play, Governor Adeleke has made the welfare and training of the state's healthcare personnel a top priority. The quality of healthcare services has increased, and healthcare workers' morale has increased as a result of investments in continuing education programs, hiring qualified staff, and providing essential resources. Developing a sustainable and effective healthcare system requires this strategy.
According to a publication by Flowerbud news, it was reported that Sen. Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has approved the hiring of more healthcare professionals to staff all basic healthcare facilities in an effort to improve primary healthcare throughout the state.
A report made by Dr. Fabiyi stated that the governor has also given the go-ahead for the installation of solar energy at 322 Osun State Primary Health Centers. In addition to regularly distributing medications to all Primary Health Care facilities, the governor has authorized monies as part of a welfare package for Osun State's medical professionals, according to the Executive Secretary of the Osun Primary Health Care Board.
Dr. Fabiyi recommended Osun State residents, especially those living in rural areas, to visit the Primary Health Center closest to them if they experience any health issues. Trained staff members are always available to provide free medical care.


INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY:

The Osun State government has embraced technology to improve healthcare delivery in keeping with worldwide trends. The implementation of digital health platforms, telemedicine services, and electronic health records has enhanced data management, expedited workflows, and raised the effectiveness of healthcare delivery. This progressive strategy shows a dedication to using innovation to advance the interests of the populace.
Governor Adeleke also mentioned how the state has become stronger over the previous three decades, showcasing its strengths in a variety of disciplines. During his reflection on his tenure as governor, the governor stated that his administration has accomplished a great deal under its five-point agenda, which focuses on education, affordable health care, human capital development, state and social security, workers' welfare, gratuities, and pensions.
Significant advancements in the health sector during Governor Adeleke's first year in office demonstrate her dedication to the welfare of the Osun State populace. A stronger and more resilient healthcare system has been made possible by the deliberate investments made in infrastructure, workforce development, community health programs, technology integration, and emergency response. Osun State is expected to become a role model for efficient and citizen-focused healthcare governance as the government carries out its initiatives to enhance the health sector.
Challenges and criticisms: A balanced Perspective
While recognizing successes, it's important to recognize the difficulties the governor has faced.
The enrollment of retirees into the state's health insurance program was a menace, according to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, after a situational analysis revealed that many of them were coping with a variety of health issues. It was at the official opening of retirees' registration for the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) at the Government Secretariat in Abeere, was where Governor Adeleke disclosed this information. And this has put the administration's resiliency to the test. However, in the Adeleke claims, "Our administration carried out a situational analysis of our seniors' living conditions. We found that unpaid pensions are not the only important issue. The majority of the income, even when it is paid out on a monthly basis, is used to manage health issues.
According to the findings of our survey, health concerns account for about 80% of the challenges faced by seniors. We made the decision to deal with the underlying cause at this stage. We made the decision to assist our senior residents where they are. The fact that this program is the first of its type is satisfying. This is an overt attempt to demonstrate that the government is capable of fulfilling the goals and ambitions of the populace.
With regard to the problems pointed out, the decision of the governor has however mitigated the conundrum of the health insurance program in the state.
Public Perception and Approval ratings: A mixed bag
Debate has surrounded Governor Adeleke's approval ratings all year long. Some people are pleased with the administration's proactive initiatives and observable successes, while others also have reservations. The governor will need to address some issues and get more support, which will need public participation and efficient communication.

Forward-Looking: The Future Road Map
With the start of Governor Adeleke second year in office, the emphasis has to move to maintaining the good momentum and dealing with enduring issues. The state will need to be guided toward wealth and better governance via a well-defined future roadmap.
To sum up, Governor Adeleke's first year in office has been marked by successes, difficulties, and the complexity of government. Without a question, the years to come will determine this administration's long-term effects on the state and its people.



Oni Gbenga Lawrence
Media assistant to osun state Governor
Boluwaduro local government

Ademola Adeleke has make a great impact in the health sector. Kudos to him.

Lifeless Propaganda.

Show us pictures of the medical equipments and buildings.