Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has announced intentions to include contributing retirees in the public health insurance programme.
At a meeting with thought leaders who came to see him during the Sallah holiday, he revealed this.
He reiterated his commitment to addressing the seniors’ concerns in accordance with his campaign pledges, noting that he has received several submissions from them.
He made a suggestion that his government is almost finished with a plan to enrol the retirees in the state health insurance programme to take care of their medical requirements.
“Our government is making great efforts to enrol seniors in health insurance. Senior individuals need ongoing medical care. We believe enrolling them is the wisest course of action since it will lessen the burden of care after their retirement.
“We are addressing the specifics. We will release it for immediate implementation once it is finished, he promised.
This comes as the governor has ordered that pension entitlements be paid immediately, as specified in the template that was made public earlier this year.
The Governor observed that the earlier-released template for clearing unpaid salaries and pensions is still in effect and he subsequently gave the Head of Service instructions to expedite implementation by ensuring that the payment of pension arrears is made in accordance with the template’s approved guidelines.
“The template was developed with the goal of gradually paying off the obligations from salaries and pensions. This was done in acknowledgement of the state’s financial situation, which has been well-documented and is well acknowledged. Under a limited budget, our government is focused on addressing the many needs of the state.
“Yet, our administration places a high priority on the wellbeing of all employees, including those who are in and out of service. I reiterate our commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of our pensioners, who are older people. I reassured our retirees that they are not and cannot be forgotten, he added, adding that the phased payments are a standby command.
