Skip to main content

FG inaugurates committee on provision of health insurance for retirees, elderly - The Great Case

How to Seduce Straight Guys FG inaugurates committee on provision of health insurance for retirees, elderly

FG inaugurates committee on provision of health insurance for retirees, elderly

By Joseph Erunke – Abuja

The federal government, on Monday, inaugurated a committee on the provision of health insurance for retirees and the elderly in the country.

The committee, headed by the former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr Linus Awute, according to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who inaugurated it, was to “examine options for the provision of health insurance for retirees and the elderly in Nigeria.”

“It underscores the resolve and commitment of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to improve access to healthcare and promote the wellbeing of ageing citizens of our country through provision of health insurance,” he said.

READ ALSO: President’s inability to guarantee security is impeachable offence ― Osinbajo in 2015

The minister said:”The President subscribes to the view that Elders who have served their country be treated with respect and dignity and commits to investing in older persons in recognition of the contribution they continue to make to family, community, and nation. This aligns with global best practices in health care for older persons.”

“Older persons with intergeneration links are a force for socio-economic growth with institutional memory and experience to shepherd Youths and advise on growth opportunities. Health and well-being are crucial to older persons’ independence and autonomy and critical to maintaining inclusion and participation in community affairs,” he added.

He commended the collaborative efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance Scheme in ensuring a timely and successful inauguration of the committee.

“This event is not without the support of development partners and relevant stakeholders,” he said, adding:”I shall inaugurate this committee, as part of Mr. President’s commitment to improving the quality of care of the elderly through the provision of health insurance.”

Describing the event as an “important and overdue national assignment”, the minister recalled that “Nigeria is a signatory to many global commitments on health, a particular one of which is the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage for healthier lives and wellbeing of citizens of all ages.”

Noting that,”The elderly and retirees of 60 years and above, make up 6 to 7 percent, being 15 million out of Nigeria’s population, and the size of some countries”, Ehanire said:

“The elderly may be facing glaring health challenges, over and beyond the wear and year of aging, and additional strain from financial challenges and psycho-social issues of adjusting to a retiree’s life. Sooner of later, problems of cognition set in slowly.”

“The covd-19 pandemic has made it obvious that about 60–80% of older persons have pre-existing medical conditions requiring regular medications,” he regretted

“Depending solely on a pension allowance that is barely enough to meet basic household needs, they experience an extra burden that defeats the essence of pension and may fall into depression,” he said, adding that:”We are here today 30th November 2020 for an activity that could bring help to the elderly in our society.”

The committee’s terms of reference, according to the minister, are:”To assess the current situation of health insurance coverage and access to health care for   retirees and senior citizens (over 60 years) in Nigeria;

READ ALSO: Tallen begs, police, judiciary for support in the fight against gender-based violence

To develop a national framework for the effective health insurance coverage of retirees and senior citizens and to make recommendations to the Minister of Health on the potential resource mobilization as well as other mechanisms for the successful implementation of the framework.”

Others are:”To undertake any other activity that will facilitate the health insurance coverage of retirees and senior citizens in Nigeria and to recommend Technical Sub–Committee to be constituted from the main committee.

The minister said,”Nobody could be better placed” for the committee as chairman than Mr Linus Awute, a seasoned, now retired former Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health.

Other members of the committee are Prof. Muhammad Nasiru Sambo,

Executive Secretary NHIS who is the Co-Chairman; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare and Pension, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, Director of Family Health, Federal Ministry of Health among others.

Vanguard News Nigeria

The post FG inaugurates committee on provision of health insurance for retirees, elderly appeared first on Vanguard News.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A destiny among the nations (2) - The Great Case

How to Seduce Straight Guys Dr. Obadiah Mailafia By Obadiah Mailafia THE late French agronomist, René Dumont, once lamented that African nations have no purpose. I would imagine he was starting from the premise that the majority of our countries emerged as colonial contraptions that did not follow the linear path of nation building and political evolution followed by the European Westphalian state. With regard to Nigeria, many commentators refer to “the mistake of 1914”. My friend Tony Nnaji, a jurist of uncommon erudition, has made the valid point that the 1914 amalgamation did not involve any plebiscite or consultation with the peoples so affected. It is self-evident that the British had no noble intentions in bringing us together. They did it for reasons linked to Weberian administrative rationality, including the need to build a war-economy at the wake of World War I. The mysterious hand of Providence is often at work in human affairs, as Cambridge historian Sir Herbert Butte...

FG Commissions North East ICT Hub - The Great Case

How to Seduce Straight Guys As NITDA Flags off Training of 100 Artisans Donates 300 Computers to Teachers and Students By Emmanuel Elebeke – Gombe The Federal Government on Monday commissioned the North East ICT Hub in Gombe, Gombe State Capital. The centre, which houses over 250 computers and other ICT infrastructures, is to serve as a training facility for ICT capacity development in the geo-political zone. While commissioning the ICT hub, the Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, stated that the wisdom behind the establishment of the centre is to promote the Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP) of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari towards diversifying the nation’s economy. Continue reading FG Commissions North East ICT Hub at Vanguard News.

Biden announces all-women senior communications team - The Great Case

How to Seduce Straight Guys US President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team announced its picks for the incoming administration’s White House communications team on Sunday, selecting seven women for the country’s top communications jobs. “President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect [Kamala] Harris today announced new members of the White House staff who will serve in senior communications roles,” the transition team said in a statement. “For the first time in history, these communications roles will be filled entirely by women.” Among the newly appointed team are industry veterans, including the Obama administration’s former White House communications director Jen Psaki, who will serve as White House press secretary for the Biden-Harris administration. Kate Bedingfield, Biden’s communications director when he was Vice President, will be the White House communications director for the new administration. “Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of th...