Barely seventy two hours after the launch/Flag-off of the Bello Care free health Insurance programme on tuesday, a beneficiary, Mrs Florence Comfort Ige who delivered a bouncing Baby boy through Caesarean Section has accessed free delivery health services at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital Lokoja which is one of the accredited Health facility of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency in the state capital.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Usman Zakari, who visited the beneficiary in company of the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Aledare Adekunle at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital said the target group are already benefiting significantly from the Bello Care programme.
Dr. Usman noted that the joy of every mother is safe motherhood and Governor Bello’s free health care initiative has made the joy of the mother full and relieves the family of the extra-ordinary hardship associated with huge medical bills of caeserean section, provided her financial risk protection and she can now use the money saved from her health cost for other family needs.
The Health Commissioner said the Bello Care free health Insurance programme will reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rate amongst the vulnerable persons in the state.
Dr. Zakari thanked Governor Bello for the initiative which is the first of its kind in Kogi State.
In his remarks at the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Aledare Adekunle said he was excited that Bello Care is already saving lives through access to quality maternal health care services
Dr Aledare said Mrs Ige who is currently accessing the free health care services will also benefit from post natal care for six weeks while the Baby will also be enrolled automatically into the Bello Care programme.
Dr Aledare further declared that the gains of Bello Care will form the basis for expansion of the programme.
Thanking God for safe delivery, the beneficiary of the programme, Mrs Florence Comfort Ige thanked Governor Bello for initiating the Programme which has relieved her of the financial burden of operation. She also thanked the commissioner of Health, Dr. Zakari Usman and the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Aledare Adekunle for their prompt visit and attention during her delivery.
Mrs Ige thanked Governor Bello for initiating the free health care services for the vulnerables who can not access quality health care due to the huge financial burden associated with health care. She prayed God to give Governor Bello long life and prosperity.