Dr. Akintunde Akindele, the Executive Secretary of Osun State Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), has provided an in-depth overview of the agency’s roles, achievements, and future plans.
Appointed seven months ago, Dr. Akindele has overseen significant advancements in the agency’s operations and services.
As the Executive Secretary, Dr. Akindele is responsible for the daily operations of OSHIA, which aims to provide affordable health insurance to all residents of Osun State. The agency manages the Osun Health Insurance Scheme, a mandatory program for all civil servants, with efforts underway to increase enrollment among informal sector workers, including traders, artisans, and transport operators.
In an exclusive interview with WesternLifeNewsNG, the medical doctor said the scheme offers affordable premiums—₦12,066 per individual annually, and ₦57,600 for a family of six.
“These premiums grant access to comprehensive healthcare services, excluding certain ailments like cancer and HIV. However, recent efforts have expanded coverage to include people living with HIV,” he said.
Outlining some achievements the agency has recorded under his watch, the OSHIA boss said the completion and commissioning of a new state-of-the-art insurance complex on December 23, 2023, by Senator Jackson Ademola was a landmark achievement.
On Pensioner Enrollment, he said, the agency has registered over 23,000 pensioners, providing them with free healthcare services, which has positively impacted their well-being.
Dr Akindele said another major feat his leadership has achieved can be seen in the area of digitalisation. According to him, the agency has transited from paper-based processes to digital systems, reducing delays in claims processing and improving service delivery.
He added that OSHIA is presently hosting forums to align with healthcare providers, ensuring a smooth transition to digital operations and addressing common issues.
On challenges and solutions, Akindele said, “funding remains a significant challenge, but the state government, under Senator Ademola Adeleke’s leadership, has been supportive.”
Meanwhile, he said the government has managed these challenges without incurring debt, relying solely on state-generated funds and federal allocations.
Akindele said efforts to increase the informal enrollment through public awareness campaigns and community engagement are ongoing.
ES highlighted the Agency’s Advocacy Dinner/Meeting with Honorable members of the Osun State House of Assembly (OSHA), Local Government Chairmen, and the Forum of Commissioners in the State Government Cabinet.
He stated that each group committed to enrolling at least 100 people from their constituencies, with each LGA pledging to enroll 200 individuals from their respective areas.
Additionally, the OSHIA leader mentioned the Agency’s plan to include people with disabilities, such as the deaf and dumb, albinos, spinal cord injury victims, the blind, and the physically impaired.
On future plans, the executive secretary said, “looking ahead, OSHIA aims to increase informal sector enrollment to boost the insurance pool and enhance healthcare access.
He spoke on introduction of telemedicine, which according to him, will enable remote consultations and prescriptions, improving accessibility for residents.
The agency, in his words, will be doubling its support for Persons with Disabilities by ennrolling all disabled persons in the state and provide interpreters in hospitals to ensure they receive adequate care.
On Community Engagement and International Partnerships, Akindele said OSHIA has ramped up community engagement through house-to-house visits, radio jingles, and collaborations with local leaders and religious organizations.
Dr. Akindele said the agency seeks partnerships with international organizations to further support its initiatives, following successful collaborations like the recent outreach with Rotary International, which saw over 800 surgeries performed and 4,000 outpatient cases treated.
Notably, Dr. Akindele’s leadership marks a transformative period for OSHIA, with a clear focus on expanding healthcare access and improving service delivery for all residents of Osun State.
The agency’s commitment to “Health for All” drives its ongoing and future initiatives, ensuring a healthier population and a more efficient healthcare system in Osun State
