By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – NOT less than 100 people around New Benin area and its neighbourhood in Benin City yesterday benefited from a medical outreach organized by the Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDOHIC) to mark this year’s World Hypertension Day.

The Commission also used the opportunity to enroll several persons into the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS) which also included enrolling the elderly, indigent, physically challenged and financially incapable persons whose financial burden is borne by the state and federal government.

Speaking at the event in Edo South Senatorial District, the Head of Planning, Research and Statistics of the EDOHIC, Dr Omorogbe Stephen said the event was to create awareness among the people, the danger of hypertension and advocating for preventive medical care.

According to him, “This outreach is pertinent because we see cases of people who just slump and die, people who have cardiac issues without knowing and there is need for us to let the people know that attention must be paid to their health.

“They are educated on preventive measures such as regular exercises, managing stress, reduction in the intake of salt and alcohol and regular check of blood pressure, the wellbeing of our people is paramount to us in the Commission. We encouraging the paradigm shift to preventive medicine, we are also checkingy the body mass index which is a comparative analysis of weight and height of people to determine those who are obese and those who might need to carry out life style modifications to increase their wellness and wellbeing

He said the EDOHIC has about 300,000 people that have enrolled into the scheme making it one of the fastest growing insurance schemes in the country.

He gave a breakdown of the various categories to include the Bronze plan of N18,000 annually, Silver plan of N35,000, Gold plan of N68,000 and Enhanced plan 78k, “even now we are designing other plans for others and we have the equity plan which cater for the vulnerable.

“Today we will determine those who have no financial power to buy plans as well as those who are unable and they fall into the category of children under five, the elderly above 60 years, pregnant women, those with disabilities and indigent people they will be enrolled into our equity plan and they will be funded by the state and the federal government.”

One of the beneficiaries who is 75 years old Theresa Akindeno said she has been enjoying free treatment since registering for the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS) since last year.

“I know how much I was spending on drugs, but since then, I have been collecting these drugs free here after that registration so I know how much I have saved and I advised other people to come and register.”

Also, Mrs Grace Idehen commended the EDOHIC for the gesture.