Benin, Edo – The Edo state ministry of health has disclosed that all persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in the state would be captured under the Edo health insurance scheme, to enable them have easy access to healthcare services.

The Director of medical services, Dr. Edward Aisowieren disclosed this when members of the Edo Disability Forum (EDF) paid the ministry an advocacy visit, on Thursday.

Dr Aisowieren spoke when the permanent secretary, Stanley Ehiarimwian received the group on behalf of the commissioner, Dr Samuel Alli.

Aisowieren commended them for their resilience in the face of current economic realities occasioned by removal of petroleum subsidy by the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government.

“I must say that this is apt; and it’s a welcome development. Even those of us that are not disabled are finding it very tough living in our present days, not to compare ourselves to those that have some, one or two disabilities in our society.

“I must say that the aspect of health which you have really dwelled on, is well focused, and I’m happy that you’ve also touched some areas that have to do with health insurance which the governor has already rolled out. I would appeal that we start from that angle very well, delve deep into it to bring in as much members we can into that forum so that they can benefit from that health insurance.”, He said

According to him, persons with disabilities that are yet to be captured in the health insurance scheme due to challenges, the ministry would appeal with the state governor, Godwin Obaseki to accommodated them.

“Hs Excellency which we know, will gladly welcome”, he added

Also, the permanent secretary, Ehiarimwian, promised to reach out to the disability group “next week”, to work out modalities on how to further deliver their message to the governor.

Earlier, convener of the group, Melody Omosah Esq, urged the ministry, to as matter of policy subsidize the drugs used by people with disabilities in line with the Edo State disability law 2022.

Omosah noted that, PWDs are mostly affected by the subsidy removal as they can no longer afford to feed themselves or buy expensive drugs to manage their conditions.

“Section 19 of that law talks about free healthcare. It enjoined government to come out with programs and policies that will guarantee unfettered access of health care to persons with disabilities and also to ensure that government facilities are accessible and affordable to persons living with disabilities in terms of provision of health care services;

“moving round especially in the rural communities other local government areas, primary health care facilities there are not accessible to people with disabilities and I would request that government take measures to ensure that no one with disabilities in accordance with the law is left out in accessing health services as provided by government institutions”, the EDF convener stated

BENDEL Mirror recall that last week, the group paid similar advocacy visits to the Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Ministry of trade, investment and co-operatives, as well as the ministry of budget and economic planning, to present its survey findings and recommendations to the government’s ministries, department and agencies, on the adverse effects of subsidy removal in the overall well-being of people living with disabilities in the state.