By joshua Kogi Health Insurance Agency Launches ‘Market Storm’ To Drive Enrollment And Sensitization
The Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, KSHIA, has launched Operation Market Storm, a targeted outreach to expand health insurance awareness and enrollment across the state, with market women in Lokoja as the first point of contact.
The campaign kicked off on Wednesday at the Lokoja International Market with a free medical outreach and a door-to-door, store-to-store sensitization drive. Officials of the Agency engaged traders directly, explained the benefits of the state’s health insurance scheme, and distributed flyers to boost understanding and uptake.
Speaking to newsmen during the exercise, the Executive Secretary of KSHIA, Dr. Adekunle Aledare, said health insurance remains the most sustainable response to rising health costs worldwide.
” Presently we have about 245,000 captured for the State health insurance. When compared to the population of the State, you will discover that many people are still not captured to enable them enjoy access to quality health care services”.
“With the current astronomical rise in the cost of health services globally, health insurance is the way out of catastrophic health expenditure. In Kogi, we are committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage so that no one is left behind because of cost,” he said.
Dr. Aledare commended former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello for establishing the Agency, and expressed appreciation to Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as consistent political and financial support.
He also thanked the Coordinating Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, for providing an enabling environment that has made the Agency’s work seamless.
Also speaking, Permanent Member of the Agency, Hon. Jacob Abrahams, said KSHIA is determined to ensure that every Kogi resident has access to health insurance coverage in line with Governor Ododo’s vision for good health and social protection for the people.
The Market Storm outreach focused on direct engagement with market women, identified as key influencers in their homes and communities. Traders received information on how the scheme works, eligibility, benefits, and how to enroll.
KSHIA said the Lokoja International Market exercise is the first phase of a wider rollout that will extend to other markets and communities across the three senatorial districts as part of efforts to increase enrollment and move the state closer to Universal Health Coverage.