By joshua 
KGSHIA Sensitizes Students of Kogi State Government-Owned Tertiary Institutions on TISHIP
As part of Kogi State Government’s Commitment to the health of the residents of Kogi State the State Government through the Kogi State Health Insurance of Kogi Agency (KGSHIA) has commenced a sensitization campaign across the nine state-owned tertiary institutions to sensitize the students of the tertiary institutions in the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme.
Leading the sensitization team, the Executive Secretary of KGSHIA, Dr. Adekunle Aledare, alongside his management team, collaborated with the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), led by its President, Comrade Jeremiah Elukpo, to educate students on the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP). The campaign officially began on Monday at the College of Education, Ankpa.
During the sensitization at COE Ankpa, NAKOSS National President, Comrade Elukpo, emphasized that TISHIP is designed to provide students with easy access. He reassured students that NAKOSS executives were fully satisfied with the program and urged them to familiarize themselves with its benefits to maximize their access to healthcare services.
Addressing the students, Dr. Aledare explained that the introduction of health insurance for students was driven by the urgent need to provide access to improved healthcare services in tertiary institutions. He highlighted that TISHIP would also facilitate referrals for students requiring secondary care .Additionally, he assured students of unlimited access to medical care at their respective institutions’ health facilities and any KGSHIA accredited health facilities where they are referred to .
The Provost of COE, Ankpa, Dr. Ibrahim Kebiru Shaibu, expressed gratitude to KGSHIA and NAKOSS for their efforts, noting that TISHIP has significantly improve funding to the school clinic which has facilitated the availability of medical supplies for the institution’s health facility. He assured the visiting team of the institution’s continued collaboration.
Similarly, at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah, The Provost, Umar Shaibu commended the Agency’s proactiveness and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to ensuring the success of the program.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aledare reiterated that His Excellency, Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has prioritized the health of students hence the approval of the Programme
During the campaign at Kogi State University, Kabba, Dr. Aledare assured students that in addition to bursaries, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has further demonstrated his commitment to student welfare by introducing health insurance through TISHIP.
The Vice-Chancellor of Kogi State University, Kabba, Prof. Kehinde Eniola, expressed profound appreciation to the Governor for his unwavering support to the education sector. He confirmed that the university will fully align with TISHIP, recognizing its potential to significantly enhance student healthcare services.
At the Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Mopa, Dr. Aledare reiterated that the Governor’s commitment to education extends beyond academics, as evident in his decision to extend TISHIP to all state-owned tertiary institutions. He assured students that the program also covers specialized healthcare at the secondary level.
The Provost of the College of Education (Technical), Mopa, Dr. Jagboro Olusola, also expressed gratitude to the Governor for incorporating tertiary institutions into TISHIP, highlighting its significance in addressing students’ health needs.
At the Confluence State University of Science and Technology, Osara (CUSTECH), Dr. Aledare emphasized that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remain committed to the health of students.
The Vice-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, represented by the Dean of Student Affairs, Shehu Shaibu Abdulraheem, commended the initiative and affirmed the university’s commitment to integrating TISHIP into its healthcare framework.
During the sensitization at Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr. Aledare underscored Governor Ododo’s dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of tertiary institution students. He explained that the governor had directed KGSHIA to enroll students in the TISHIP, ensuring they remain healthy while pursuing their academic goals.
Representing the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Usman Ogbo, Bursar Adeyinka Obaro assured the team of the institution’s readiness to embrace TISHIP, acknowledging its role in promoting students’ well-being.
At the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (NKFI), Dr. Aledare emphasized that the Ododo administration prioritizes the health of all Kogi State residents, including students. He assured students that their campus clinic would be well-equipped under TISHIP and urged them to avoid self-tmedication, advising them to utilize the health facilities whenever necessary.
NKFI Rector, William Charles Oluwatoyin, lauded the state government for implementing TISHIP, recognizing it as a crucial step toward enhancing healthcare services for students.
Summarizing the sensitization campaign, NAKOSS President, Comrade Jeremiah Elukpo, expressed satisfaction with the outreach and the level of awareness created among students. He pledged that NAKOSS would continue engaging students on TISHIP to ensure its optimal utilization.
He also commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his proactive approach to student welfare and assured KGSHIA of NAKOSS’s continued support in promoting the program across all state-owned tertiary institutions.
Accompanying the Executive Secretary, Dr. Aledare, on the sensitization tour were Permanent Board Member, Hon. Jacob Abraham Damilare, and Head of the Agency’s Programme Department, Pharm. Kenneth Ameh.