The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has announced a N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund and free health insurance coverage for retirees as part of a broader effort to expand access to healthcare across the state.

Speaking on Monday at the maiden National Summit of State Social Health Insurance Agencies (SSHIAs) in Akure, the governor said healthcare should not depend on a citizen’s financial status, especially as rising economic pressures continue to affect households across Nigeria.

The summit brought together health insurance administrators, policymakers, development partners and government officials from across the country to discuss pathways towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

“Access to quality healthcare must not be determined by economic status,” Governor Aiyedatiwa said, stressing that social health insurance remains one of the most effective tools for protecting families from catastrophic medical expenses.

Why the announcement matters

Healthcare financing has become a growing concern across Nigeria as inflation, rising medical costs and economic uncertainty place additional pressure on families.

Experts say many Nigerians delay seeking medical treatment because of cost concerns, often resulting in more severe health conditions that are more expensive to treat.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration’s healthcare reforms are designed to reduce those barriers and extend protection to vulnerable groups, including retirees, rural residents and informal sector workers.

The governor announced that retirees in Ondo State will now be formally enrolled into the state’s Orange Health Insurance Scheme, with the government paying the full cost of their participation.

According to him, the initiative will provide pensioners with access to consultations, treatment, medications and specialised healthcare services without additional financial burden.

Ondo expands health insurance coverage

The governor highlighted several programmes already operating under the Ondo State healthcare system.

These include the Orange Health Insurance Scheme for public servants and their dependants, as well as new enrolment opportunities for informal sector workers and members of local security outfits.

He also pointed to the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Programme, which provides free antenatal care, safe delivery services and healthcare coverage for children under five years old.

The administration has also expanded enrolment under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme, covering vulnerable residents across all 203 political wards in the state’s 18 local government areas.

N1bn intervention fund for hospitals

In a move aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the approval of a dedicated N1 billion Hospital Intervention Fund.

The fund will be used to modernise healthcare facilities, improve service delivery and expand hospital capacity across Ondo State.

He said the intervention would operate separately from routine healthcare spending and would focus on long-term improvements in healthcare infrastructure.

The governor also disclosed that the State Executive Council had approved the procurement of modern medical equipment for secondary health facilities.

Additional investments include upgrading health infrastructure and recruiting more healthcare professionals.

Ondo claims first implementation of new health workers’ salary structure

Governor Aiyedatiwa said Ondo had become the first state in Nigeria to implement the newly approved salary structure for health workers.

He argued that improved welfare packages would help address the growing challenge of healthcare worker migration, commonly referred to as “brain drain.”

Health sector analysts have repeatedly warned that the departure of skilled medical personnel remains one of Nigeria’s biggest healthcare challenges, affecting service delivery across both public and private facilities.

Industry and stakeholder reactions

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo-Ajaka, described the summit as an important platform for addressing healthcare financing challenges.

He said current economic realities require states to develop innovative funding mechanisms and reduce inefficiencies in healthcare systems.

According to him, traditional funding models alone are no longer sufficient to meet growing healthcare demands.

“State Social Health Insurance Agencies remain central to achieving universal health coverage at the grassroots,” he said.

Meanwhile, , Ekiti State Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the Forum of Health Commissioners, praised Ondo State’s healthcare performance.

He cited data from the National Demographic and Health Survey showing that Ondo recorded neonatal mortality of three deaths per 1,000 live births and infant mortality of eight per 1,000 live births, among the lowest figures reported nationally.

Filani also called for effective utilisation of increased fiscal resources available to states.

“Universal health coverage should be treated as a prioritisation framework rather than merely a financing issue,” he said.

National push for universal healthcare

The summit also heard from healthcare leaders working to expand insurance coverage nationwide.

Chairman of the Forum of Chief Executive Officers of State Social Health Insurance Agencies, described the gathering as a milestone for healthcare reform in Nigeria.

He said it was the first coordinated meeting of all state health insurance agencies and the Federal Capital Territory under a single platform.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, warned that millions of Nigerians remain exposed to medical poverty due to limited insurance coverage.

According to him, more than 90% of Nigerians are still outside the formal health insurance system.

He said expanding insurance coverage remains essential to protecting citizens from financial hardship caused by medical expenses.

What happens next?

The Ondo State government says it will continue expanding healthcare enrolment, strengthening monitoring systems, improving service quality and increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure.

Officials believe the combination of expanded insurance coverage, healthcare worker retention strategies and targeted hospital funding could accelerate progress toward universal health coverage in the state.

Whether the new measures deliver measurable improvements in healthcare access and outcomes will be closely watched by policymakers and health experts across Nigeria.

The Ondo State Government has commenced the distribution of appointment letters to more than 930 newly recruited health professionals, in what officials describe as one of the state’s largest recent investments in primary healthcare staffing.

The exercise, which began at the headquarters of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA) in Akure, is expected to strengthen healthcare services across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The recruitment includes medical doctors, nurses, midwives, community health extension workers, laboratory scientists, pharmacy technicians, health information officers and other healthcare professionals.

Officials say the new workers will be deployed to primary healthcare facilities across the state to help address longstanding manpower shortages and improve access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.

Why the recruitment matters

Nigeria’s healthcare sector continues to face challenges linked to workforce shortages, migration of medical personnel and unequal access to healthcare, especially in rural areas.

Health experts have repeatedly argued that strengthening primary healthcare systems is essential to reducing maternal and child mortality, increasing immunisation coverage and improving disease prevention.

The Ondo State Government says the latest recruitment is designed to support these goals by ensuring more healthcare workers are available at the community level.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, OSPHCDA Permanent Secretary Dr. Francis Akanbiemu said the recruitment reflects the state’s commitment to improving frontline healthcare services.

“The recruitment is a deliberate and timely intervention by the State Government to strengthen frontline health services and improve access to quality care at the grassroots,” he said.

According to Dr. Akanbiemu, the recruitment process was merit-based, transparent and aligned with the state’s Human Resource for Health Policy.

Praise for Governor Aiyedatiwa

The Permanent Secretary also commended Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for approving the large-scale recruitment exercise.

He said the governor’s decision demonstrated a commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and ensuring that primary healthcare facilities are adequately staffed.

“The Governor’s approval of the large-scale recruitment demonstrates uncommon political will and a clear understanding that a functional health system begins with skilled and motivated personnel,” Dr. Akanbiemu said.

The agency noted that 800 workers were recruited across various healthcare cadres, in addition to 130 doctors and nurses employed earlier, bringing the total number of newly employed professionals to 930.

Immediate deployment to underserved communities

Officials said the newly recruited workers have completed documentation processes and will be deployed immediately to underserved and hard-to-reach communities.

According to the agency, the additional workforce is expected to reduce patient waiting times, improve antenatal care services, expand immunisation coverage and strengthen the state’s response to maternal and child health challenges.

The government also highlighted recent investments in the health sector, including the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, provision of essential medicines and training programmes for health workers.

These measures, officials say, form part of broader efforts to achieve universal health coverage in the state.

New recruits welcome opportunity

Several beneficiaries expressed gratitude after receiving their appointment letters.

Among them were nurse-midwife Mrs. Adebimpe Olorunfemi, pharmacy technician Mrs. Ajibike Afolayan, and scientific officer Azeez Olayinka.

The beneficiaries described the recruitment exercise as “life-changing” and pledged to serve residents with professionalism and dedication.

“Life-changing.”

They also promised to justify the confidence placed in them through quality service delivery and compassionate patient care.

Community role in successful deployment

The government said deployment of the new healthcare workers would be closely monitored to ensure equitable distribution and effective service delivery.

Community leaders and Ward Development Committees have also been encouraged to provide a supportive environment for the newly deployed staff.

Officials believe collaboration between healthcare workers and local communities will be critical to the success of the initiative.

What happens next?

The newly recruited health professionals are expected to resume duties in assigned facilities across the state in the coming weeks.

Healthcare stakeholders will be watching closely to assess how the additional workforce impacts service delivery, patient outcomes and healthcare access, particularly in rural communities.

For residents, the recruitment could mean shorter waiting times, improved access to skilled healthcare professionals and better healthcare outcomes at the primary care level.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in partnership with the African Trauma Care Alliance (ATCA), has organised a two-day trauma-informed care workshop for principal officers in Lagos as part of activities marking the 2026 International Mental Health Awareness Month.

The workshop, held at the LASTMA Training Institute in Oshodi, focused on emotional resilience, psychological wellness and trauma-sensitive leadership for officers working in high-pressure environments.

Organisers said the programme was designed to help participants better understand traumatic stress, emotional intelligence and the importance of building compassionate institutions and communities.

Why the workshop matters

Frontline traffic officers in Lagos often deal with fatal road crashes, confrontations with motorists, emergency rescue operations and other distressing situations that can take a psychological toll.

Speaking at the event, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki said mental health support had become increasingly important for public officers operating under stressful conditions.

“Personnel of the Agency are frequently confronted with psychologically challenging experiences, including fatal road traffic accidents, confrontations with aggressive motorists, environmental hazards and emergency rescue operations,” he said.

Mr Bakare-Oki described the workshop as an investment in human capital development aimed at improving emotional resilience, coping strategies and empathetic leadership among officers.

He also praised mental health advocates and trauma experts for supporting what he described as a transformative initiative for institutional and community wellbeing.

Trauma affecting millions globally, expert says

Delivering a lecture during the workshop, trauma specialist and ATCA founder Professor Akindotun Meiro said mental health conditions remain a growing global concern.

According to her, nearly one in three people worldwide may experience a mental health condition during their lifetime, with trauma being a major contributing factor.

Professor Meiro said economic hardship, insecurity, domestic violence, kidnapping, armed conflict and political instability continue to expose millions of people to psychological distress.

“Traumatic experiences occasioned by economic hardship, political instability, communal crises, gender-based violence, kidnapping, domestic abuse, armed conflicts and other societal disruptions continue to inflict profound psychological and emotional wounds on millions of people across the world,” she said.

The workshop also examined the long-term effects of untreated trauma, including cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders and emotional dysfunction.

Facilitators stressed the connection between emotional wellbeing and physical health, calling for more accessible and inclusive mental healthcare services in workplaces and communities.

Push for trauma-informed communities

Professor Meiro said the annual Traumatic Stress Awareness Walk, led by the Jars Education Group in collaboration with ATCA and international partners, had grown into a global advocacy movement supporting trauma survivors across Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Participants at the workshop described the initiative as a timely intervention, noting that trauma can be treated when societies intentionally create safe and supportive environments.

The event concluded with renewed calls for governments, organisations, healthcare professionals and educators to intensify mental health awareness campaigns and reduce stigma surrounding trauma and emotional recovery.

Industry and Public Perspective

Mental health advocates in Nigeria have increasingly called for stronger psychological support systems for emergency responders, healthcare workers and security personnel, many of whom regularly face traumatic situations without structured counselling services.

Public health experts say trauma-informed workplaces can improve productivity, reduce burnout and strengthen employee wellbeing, especially in urban centres such as Lagos where public service roles are often physically and emotionally demanding.

What’s Next?

Stakeholders at the workshop urged public institutions and private organisations to integrate mental health awareness programmes into workplace policies.

They also called for expanded access to counselling, emotional support systems and community-based mental health interventions across Nigeria.