Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Control in Osun; Owoeye Pledges OSHA's Commitment to Reduce suffering and deaths

The State of Osun is fulfilling her commitments and plans for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases.

Speaking when Dr. Adeniyi Oginni the Executive Secretary of Osun Health Insurance Agency took members of the 7th Assembly on an academic pursuit exploring how to ensure healthy lives for all citizens by using the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye reiterated that noncommunicable diseases are held responsible for the death of millions of people worldwide as he assured that the Osun 7th House of Assembly will make available all necessary support and backing towards the realization of the hopes of the Global Week of Action on Noncommunicable Diseases.

"In as much as we believe that these noncommunicable diseases have contributed to the death of millions of people, what are we doing to bring it under control? Owoeye asked as he announced that the House of Assembly will sponsor weekly sensitization on some radio stations to enlighten the people on the importance and benefits of OHIS and at the same time the OSHA members are to engage on compulsory 2 hours physical exercise every Thursday from 6am to 8am. Also on the issue of smoking the OSHA has passed a bill prohibiting smoking in public places that has not been enforced, the clerk of the House was mandated to write to the Security Agents to start its enforcement.

In his lecture, Dr. Oginni called on Osun Assembly to take assertive action to deliver progress on noncommunicable diseases prevention and control noting that they are the world’s leading cause of death and disability.

He identivied noncommunicable diseases as mainly cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes which are the world's biggest killers. "More than 36 million people die annually" Dr. Oginni said.

“It is shocking to see the growing toll that diseases like hypertension, cancer and diabetes are taking on the people who can least afford healthcare, we need to ensure that people can obtain services to treat them". He pleaded as he briefed the House on the preparedness of the State of Osun government for the take-off of the OHIS which covers common ailments including malaria fever, minor injuries, reproductive health services, child delivery, caesarean section, and selected surgical operations. He then lauded the 6th OSHA for passing the Osun Health Insurance Scheme Bill, 2018 into law.


He concluded his lecture by elaborating on how the Osun legislators can use the OHIS to benefit their constituencies.  "Some people will say they want to give their constituents empowerment and they buy okada and grinding machines. The constituents can benefit from the social insurance scheme N12066 is the premium per one year for an individual and for a family of 6 it is N57600. If you have maybe 100 people in your constituency you can guarantee their health for 1 year."