Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has reiterated the commitment of his administration to increase provision of affordable healthcare services to over 60 per cent of the state population through community health insurance scheme.

Governor Ahmed disclosed this in Abuja when he signed a memorandum of understanding, MoU, with the health insurance fund for the expansion of Kwara Community Health Insurance Programme over the next five years.

The governor, who observed that healthcare system in the country was a major challenge that must be addressed by all stakeholders to make it function effectively, explained that the programme will run from 2013 to 2017 in all local government areas of the state.

He also said that plans are underway for the recruitment of more medical personnel as well as additional renovation of hospitals and health centres across the state to address critical needs in the health sector.

He explained that the essence of the agreement was to expand access to healthcare delivery, maintaining that no citizen would go beyond 500 metres from his residence before having access to medics in order to improve healthy living of the populace.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Health Insurance Fund, Mr. Kees Storm said the signing of MoU with Kwara State government was meant for the benefit of 60 per cent of the people.

Earlier, the executive secretary of Kwara Community Health Insurance Scheme, Alhaji Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq explained that in line with its policy thrusts and strategies, the government commenced the health insurance scheme in Edu local government council by upgrading existing primary healthcare facilities in the comprehensive health centre in Shonga before co-financing the premiums for low income individuals in Asa local government area.

It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly had last year passed the bill seeking to establish the State Community Health Insurance Scheme so as to provide affordable healthcare to low income earners.