The Itsekiri Trust Fund has launched the Warri Kingdom’s Social Security Healthcare Safety Net; a program designed to provide Itsekiri with sustainable access to quality private Healthcare Service Providers (HSP) in Iwereland and nationwide.
The initiative was made public in a statement by the by a member, Board of Trustees, Itsekiri Trust Fund, Chief Brown Mene, on the occasion of the formal launching of the itsekiri health insurance program at Aghofen.
According to him, the program aspires to uplift the health status of Itsekiri in Iwereland and nationwide, through sustainable access to quality Health Service Providers (HSP); consistent, methodical health education to beneficiaries, and excellent deployment of latest technology to fulfil healthcare.
Meanwhile, it is worthy of note that this is Warri Kingdom’s Social Security Health Safety Net and it is being executed through the deployment of latest technology for data capture and integrity; machine learning and block chain technology.
The Itsekiri Trust Fund, in actualizing the aims of the program, is partnering with Hygeia HMO, one of the leading HMOs in Nigeria.
Read the full statement below:
[SPEECH BY CHIEF BROWN MENE ON THE OCCASION OF THE FORMAL LAUNCHING OF THE ITSEKIRI HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM AT AGHOFEN, 25TH JUNE 2022]
[PROTOCOLS]
Ogiame,
On behalf of the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustee of the Itsekiri Trust Fund, I am delighted to present to you the Itsekiri Health Insurance Program (IHIP) for its formal launch today.
The Itsekiri Health Insurance Program (IHIP), an initiative of the Itsekiri Trust Fund, on behalf of Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, is Warri Kingdom’s social security healthcare safety net, a program designed to provide Itsekiri with sustainable access to quality private healthcare service providers (HSP) in Iwereland and nationwide.
In this kick-off stage, it provides primary, and some secondary, healthcare access, in line with our research finding, which show that 75% of our healthcare needs can be dealt with at primary health care level.
Today, with Ogiame’s blessing the IHIP is being launched with 1000 beneficiaries, 567 of which are already active. The program aims to cover 150,000 Itsekiri in Iwereland within a 60months period.
IHIP framework has been designed taking into consideration Ogiame’s vision for Iwereland, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 (SDG 3), and understanding the strong correlation between wellbeing and economic security/output.
In line with the SDG Goal 3, IHIP aspires to uplift the health status of Itsekiri in Iwereland and nationwide, through
- sustainable access to quality Health Service Providers (HSP);
- consistent, methodical health education to beneficiaries.
- excellent deployment of latest technology to fulfil healthcare
It is with this aspiration, the ITF sought out the best Health Access Fulfilment partners in Nigeria, the market leader in the Health Management organisation (HMO) sector – HYGEIA, and Health Access platform providers using Machine learning and Block chain technology – CIMPLE HEALTHCARE, competent to deliver on our defined mandate. Today, we have with us the senior management of Hygeia HMO, who will say a few words themselves about IHIP and what they do.
Ogiame, we have here today, seated and ready to receive their IHIP HMO Card your subjects, a representative group of active IHIP enrolees.
IHIP, however, exists sustainably due to its design framework of partnership. Its funding/sponsorship partnership will tap into Itsekiri Diaspora and Nigeria-based Individuals and clubs/organisations, and local/International Non-Governmental Organisations. It is designed such that Itsekiri local and diaspora can sponsor their own – family or community to uplift their lifestyle by providing healthcare access similar to the UK’s NHS.
Every community should key into this, whereby heads of families/communities can seize this initiative, key into the IHIP as part of their community development plans or give-back project, to take care of their family and community members.
We, herewith, Ogiame, call on all well-meaning Itsekiri, both Nigeria-based and in Diaspora, to take up this clarion call to partner with the Itsekiri Trust Fund in executing the IHIP sustainable. For more information and enrolment for self, family and community can be done online at www.itsekirtrustfund.org
Today, we are grateful to the following pioneering group of esteemed Itsekiri clubs/associations, foundation and benevolent individuals, who have committed to partner with Itsekiri Trust Fund is making IHIP a reality. Ogiame, we have here represented today and we celebrate:
The Alpha May Club, represented here today by its chairman, Brig Gen Emico Eruwa (rtd)
The Ugbajo Itsekiri USA, represented here today by its President, Mr Toju Ekwejunor-Etchie, who flew into country especially for this event
Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, whose passion for uplifting people never ceases
Atuwe Cecilia Awani Foundation, under the chairmanship of Mr Godwin Omagbemi
Ogiame, ITF will like to especially thank the following distinguished Itsekiri – Mr Austin Oyowe, Prof. Ogbemi Omatete, Chief J.J Akpieyi-Otuedon for their stoic support for the IHIP.
I thank you for listening.
Ogaime Suo…
God bless Ogiame
God Bless Warri Kingdom God bless Nigeria
Signed: Chief Brown Mene
Member – Board of Trustees, Itsekiri Trust Fund https://itsekiritrustfund.org
