Daud Olatunji
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Oyo State Government for launching the Public Primary School Pupils Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a crucial step toward achieving universal health coverage for children.
The initiative, which was officially flagged off in Ibadan on Thursday, aims to provide quality healthcare services to indigent pupils across the state.
The Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, praised the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied medical care due to financial constraints.
The initiative, which initially covers 90 schools across 18 local government areas, is expected to expand to all 33 LGAs in the state.
Speaking at the Civic Centre, Idi-Ape, Lafoucriere emphasized that access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental right for every child. Reflecting on her journey to the event, she shared an emotional moment:
“I saw a group of schoolboys playing joyfully on their way to school. Their laughter was contagious, but I couldn’t help but wonder: what if one of them fell and needed medical attention? Could his family afford the necessary care?”
She stressed that the scheme is not just a healthcare program but an economic and social necessity.
“Universal health coverage is more than a healthcare goal; it’s a social and economic necessity.
“When children have access to healthcare, they can focus on education, grow into productive adults, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to the success of Oyo State and Nigeria,” she said.
“At UNICEF, equity is our guiding principle, ensuring equal opportunities for every child. This scheme exemplifies this by focusing on public primary school children, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” she said.
Lafoucriere urged stakeholders to sustain and expand the initiative, pledging UNICEF’s continued support.
“Equity is our guiding principle at UNICEF—ensuring equal opportunities for every child.
“This scheme exemplifies this by prioritizing public primary school children, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” she stated.
UNICEF’s Lafoucriere called on all stakeholders to treat the scheme’s launch as a rallying call for action in ensuring universal health coverage for children.
“Let today’s event mark the beginning of a commitment to ensuring every child in Oyo State has access to healthcare,” she added.
The Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), Dr. Sola Akande, described the scheme as a major milestone, making it the ninth health insurance initiative introduced by the agency.
According to him, 10,000 public primary school pupils will be covered in the first phase, with an additional 5,500 beneficiaries set to be enrolled in the coming weeks.
“Our resolve is to innovate or die. OYSHIA has stepped into the world of ‘Johnny Walker’—we keep walking, ensuring no day passes without progress,” Akande declared, highlighting the agency’s commitment to continuous healthcare expansion.
OYSHIA has successfully reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for residents from 75 percent to an average of 10 percent, benefiting over 250,000 people through various health insurance models, including those for tertiary students, pensioners, and diaspora contributors.
Dr. Akande further revealed that in the past year alone, the agency facilitated 261 cesarean sections, 195 cataract surgeries, 147 myomectomies, and even an open-heart surgery for enrollees.
He said additionally, ₦735.3 million was disbursed to accredited hospitals in 2024 to support infrastructure upgrades and service delivery at primary healthcare centers.
He expressed deep appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for his leadership and vision in prioritizing healthcare for the vulnerable.
He also commended UNICEF for its financial and logistical support, including the provision of food and drinks for schoolchildren at the event.
“When you do this for a soul, you have actually given to the Lord,” Dr. Akande remarked, calling on other development partners to join efforts in expanding healthcare access to Oyo’s most vulnerable children.
The state Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal, urged OYSHIA to double its efforts so as to cover many pupils in the state within the shortest possible time.
Lawal lauded UNICEF for its various interventions in the state, urging other non-governmental organisations to emulate the fund to ensure sound mind for the children to face their studies.
The launch was attended by top government officials, education stakeholders in Oyo state, and UNICEF representatives, all of whom pledged their commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the initiative.
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