BENIN CITY – Determined to provide adequate cover for students in educational institutions in the state, the Edo State Government has created a health insurance cover for students under the state’s health insurance scheme.
The Director-General (DG), Edo State Health Insurance Commission, Dr. Rock Amegor, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, said the scheme is targeted at ensuring affordable healthcare for residents in the state.
According to him, “There is a plan for students, which is going to commence at the beginning of the new school year. For students, the premium is charged into their school fees. We will go to their doorsteps and teach them how to use data to purchase health services such that there will be improved outcome and reduced financial expenditures.”
Amegor noted that students in higher institutions will be required to pay a premium of N18,000 per student, deducted from their tuition fee, to be enrolled into the Student Health Plan of the Edo State Health Scheme, adding that “The deduction of premium will be on yearly basis as the students pay for their tuition fees.
“To achieve this, the commission will ensure that the institutions have standard health care facilities/centers that will be accredited by the commission, which will serve as a primary healthcare centre for the students.
“Primary Healthcare Centres will serve as a first point of call for the students when they need minor medical attention as they can access it at any time as long as the school is on session. In cases of serious medical attention, the student will be referred to a secondary health care center where they will be treated.”
“The commission has also ensured that qualified doctors and nurses will be present at these centers to attend to the health needs of the students and also ensure that these primary health care centers have the facilities and equipment that will be needed to carry out their functions effectively,” he added.
