Yemi-Esan Tasks HMOs on Affordable Healthcare for Workers

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has charged Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) in the country to provide civil servants with quality and affordable healthcare services, thereby reducing the morbidity rate being experienced in recent times.

 She made the appeal during a one-day Interactive session with HMOs in the country in Abuja.

Yemi-Esan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Mahmud Adam Kambari, affirmed that the health of civil servants could no longer be taken for granted, as they die on a daily basis from ailments that are preventable and curable.

She called on the HMOs to partner with the civil service on regular medical check-ups, as well as provide quality medications and comprehensive medical health care to them.

 The HoS also sought to know the fate of the retirees under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and the number of civil servants benefitting monthly from the NHIS. 

She asked the regulatory body, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to ensure that HMOs are visible and accessible to civil service enrollees as many of them do not know their HMOs. 

Earlier in her welcome address, the Director, Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE)-OHCSF, Dr. Comfort Adeosun, highlighted the theme of the interactive session as “Promoting a Healthy and Productive Workforce,” even as she emphasised the need to work in synergy with HMOs for quality healthcare to all civil servants.