The Ogun government is to start community-based health insurance scheme (CBHIS) in August, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, the Commissioner for Health, has announced.

The commissioner made the disclosure at a news conference in Abeokuta.

Soyinka said the project was part of government’s effort at reducing high mortality rate in the state.

He noted that the Out-Of Pocket System, through which health care is majorly accessed in the country, made it extremely difficult for many people to access quality medical attention.

‘’There is a lot of demand on the limited financial resources available to individuals, families and communities.

‘’This makes it extremely difficult to set fund aside for accessing unplanned or emergency health care needs.

‘’The issue of un-affordability in accessing healthcare services is a key component affecting the health-seeking behaviour of the populace, which ultimately results in poor health indices nationally,’’ Soyinka noted.

He said the state had therefore deemed it necessary to commence a process that would put the CBHIS in place.

The commissioner said it was part of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s effort to deliver on his promise of providing quality and affordable healthcare delivery in the state.

According to him, the pilot scheme will commence in five local government areas in the state in August.

He listed the areas as Ipokia, Abeokuta South, Ijebu-Ode, Yewa North and Sagamu.

Soyinka said, in implementing the scheme, the government would partner with Community Development Associations (CDAs) and individual family households.

‘’The CDAs will be playing prominent roles in the scheme. They will be co-ordinating their members to embrace the initiative and embark on continuous sensitisation.

‘’CDAs will also be held accountable for the health of their members with the establishment of relevant associations and will also be members of the Board of Trustees (BOT).

“This will be to determine how the contributions of the communities towards healthcare is utilised,’’ he said.

As part of the implementation process, Soyinka said government had commenced advocacy visits and sensitisation programmes in communities across the state.

He also said government would identify existing community structures and thereafter begin the registration of community members.