Maternal Mortality: Ogun Inaugurates Free Health Insurance

As a way of tackling maternal mortality, the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA) on Wednesday inaugurated its free health insurance scheme for pregnant women in the state known as “Ibid’ero”

The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Afolabi Dosunmu, said during the launch in Abeokuta that pregnant women in the state would be enrolled into the scheme to enjoy free access to healthcare.

According to him, some of the benefits of the scheme include six weeks post-natal care, free Caesarian Section and intensive care.

"We cover them from the point where they know they’re pregnant till six weeks after delivery", he added 

On the enrollment modality, Dosunmu said: “The scheme targets the poorest of the poor; it has created a social register compiled by the Ministry of Budget and Planning.

“The agency will ensure that only pregnant women who registered with the State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) benefit from the scheme.”

Dosunmu, who said that the women would be given stipends at the end of their pregnancies, urged pregnant women across the 20 local government areas of the state to register.

"The overall aim is to ensure that poor pregnant women get skilled birth attendants to attend to them during pregnancy.

“The women and their babies will survive and maternal mortality rate will reduce and stipends given to encourage them.

“The target is to register as many pregnant women as possible.”