The organized labour in Kogi state has lauded the health benefits package of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency saying it would continue to engage government on its full implementation.
Vice Chairman of the Kogi state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Mailiga Obaka made this known at a parley between the Commissioner of Health and the management staff of the state health insurance agency in Lokoja.
Comrade Obaka, who represented the state chairman of the union, Comrade Onuh Edoka, said the union is aware of the health benefits of the scheme noting that it has not at anytime kicked against the scheme.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Audu Saka Haruna appealed to the labour leaders to explore and maximise the health benefit package of the scheme declaring that when fully implemented workers in the state will spend less in accessing health care.
Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Abubakar Baabamaji, the commissioner further stated that the state government under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello has agreed to pay her counterpart fund for the scheme.
He urged labour leaders to woo her members towards the full implementation of the scheme in the state.
On his part the permanent secretary administration in the office of the Head of Service, Elder Eric Aina, who represented the Head of Service, appealed on the leadership of the labour union to look inward and engage the state work force towards the full implementation of the scheme in the state.
In his address, the Executive Secretary of Kogi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Adekunle Aledare, thanked the labour leaders for their unalloyed support since the establishment of the agency in the state.
He appealed to them to work towards the quick implementation of the scheme as it would improve the health of workers and improve their productivity.
Part of the resolutions of the parley includes the need for the full implementation of the scheme, for parties to show greater commitment towards its success in the state and the need for the state to attain the universal health coverage by 2030.
