Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, has said that the continuation of streets sensitisation campaign against maternal and child mortality rate in the state through the introduction of Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS) “Araya” and Save One Million Lives (SOML) was aimed at targeting millions of pregnant women and children under age 5 in the state.
Ipaye made this assertion at the street sensitization tour to Ago-Iwoye, Awa, Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu-North Local Government and Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of the state, stressing that it would also reduce sudden death of pregnant women and children in the state.
He said that it was very imperative in taking care of expectant mothers and children under age 5 in the state in order to reduce maternal and child mortality rate to the barest minimum, adding that the government had made it mandatory for the pregnant women in the state to approach any of the designated maternity centre for proper care.
“This card is to be taken along with you to any of the accredited health centres in the state each time you fall ill within a year but if anybody or any community health extension workers (CHEW) refuse to attend to you, then call the customer care number behind the card within that centre for immediate help”, Ipaye said.
He, however said that if anybody didn’t fall within the category of the pregnant women, underprivileged and child under age 5, it would only pay a token amount of money to get registered for the scheme and it would be free medical care all through the year, stressing that it would be of benefit for the people to key into the scheme now.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Ijebu-Igbo West Local Council Development Area, Hon. Adegoke Adekanbi appreciated the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration for the initiative, saying that it was a round peg in the round hole and it would of privileged for the resident that has no money to key into the scheme.
He then enjoined the resident the state to pay their tax as and when due, stressing that when the people promptly pay their taxes then the government would have more value to their dividend of democracy they enjoy.
Mrs. Ebere Obinna, one of the beneficiary in Ago-Iwoye hailed the state government for the scheme, saying that it was as if the state knows their challenges been facing in the country especially during the recession period when the people gnashes their teeth.