Osun State Government is set to empower people living with disabilities with Point-of-Sale machines and business support as part of activities marking the 2025 International Disability Day.
This was made known on Monday during a press conference by the Executive Secretary of Osun Health Insurance Agency (OSHIA), Dr Rasaq Akindele, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the Osun State Bureau for People Living with Disability, at Abere.
Dr Akindele said the initiative is part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to improving the welfare of people living with disabilities in the state.
He stated that the empowerment programme will serve as both a celebration of the International Disability Day and a highlight of the governor’s third anniversary in office.
The OSHIA Boss recalled that last year the governor enrolled all persons living with disabilities into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme to enjoy free healthcare services.
He added that various assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, hearing aids, inhalers, glasses and other items were also distributed to thousands of beneficiaries.
Dr Akindele noted that pensioners in the state had earlier been enrolled for free healthcare under the Osun Health Insurance Scheme.
He highlighted that the agency recently concluded a School Eye Health Programme where over 450,000 students were screened across the state.
According to him, a total of 45,120 students were diagnosed with sight issues, with 80 percent receiving treatment, lenses or medical care, while 20 percent underwent necessary surgeries.
Dr Akindele also revealed that 1,200 inmates at correctional centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife were enrolled into the state’s health insurance scheme in what he described as a first-of-its-kind achievement in Nigeria.
He explained that both health centres in the correctional facilities were accredited and have been receiving capitation payments for sustained service access.
The OSHIA Executive Secretary said the agency supported the National Association of Pensioners in sinking a borehole at their secretariat to improve access to clean water.
He added that the state health insurance agency provided a 4D fully automated ultrasound machine at the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, to boost diagnostic services.
Dr Akindele affirmed that OSHIA also reviewed capitation rates upward from ₦570 to ₦700, making Osun the highest-paying health insurance agency in the Southwest.
He affirmed that the empowerment with PoS devices reflects Governor Adeleke’s continued passion for inclusive governance and support for vulnerable groups in the state.