Kwara State Governor, Alhaji. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has said that community health insurance scheme will improve people's access to quality health care.

He said health care system in the country was a major challenge that must be addressed in order to make it function effectively.

A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, revealed that he spoke in Abuja on Monday when he signed a memorandum of understanding with the Health Insurance Fund for the expansion of Kwara Community Health Insurance Programme over the next five years.

The governor said his administration was committed to the provision of affordable health care services to over 60 per cent of the state's population through community health insurance scheme.

He added that the programme would run from 2013 to 2017 in all local government areas of the state.

Ahmed said the essence of the agreement was to expand access to health care delivery.

He said no citizen should go beyond 500 metres from his residence before gaining access to medical treatment.

He said, "Many people, especially at the grass roots, cannot afford their medical bills and what we are trying to do is to assist not less than 60 per cent of Kwarans in accessing affordable health care services."

The governor also said the state government's plan to recruit more medical personnel had reached advanced stage. He also revealed the government's decision to renovate more hospitals and health centres across the state to address critical needs.

Earlier, the Chairman of Health Insurance Fund, Mr. Kees Storm, had stated the commitment of his organisation to the MoU.

He said, "We are here for the signing of a MoU with Kwara State Government for the benefit of 60 per cent of the state population."