As the elderly struggle with health issues, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, Ogun State chapter, has appealed to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, to include pensioners in the national and state health insurance schemes.
The pensioners made the appeal on Saturday at the 2024 Pensioners’ Day celebrations held at the NUP Secretariat, Leme, Abeokuta.
They requested that subscribers be given a 50 percent discount if this was included.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the state NUP, Mr. Widi Oloyede, explained the importance of reducing health hazards for the elderly, especially as the economic hardship in the country worsens.
Mr. Oloyede expressed gratitude to Governor Abiodun for the regular and prompt payment of monthly pension, quarterly increase of N5.3 billion, provision of subsidized rice and other initiatives, but further efforts are needed. pointed out that it was necessary.
Mr Olowede said: “Your Excellency, I would like to inform you that most, if not all, elderly people struggle with some health challenge. It is appropriate to say that you are in need of some health relief.
“We want to ensure that pensioners are properly enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme and that there is an additional 50% benefit rebate or discount for those who wish to enroll, as recognized by mainstream officials. I appeal to you passionately.”
He added that the long-awaited pension increase was also causing anxiety among elderly residents, stressing that nothing had come out of the committee set up to address the issue.
“May I use this medium to inform you that the other most important demand that touches the hearts of the elderly is the issue of a consequent increase in pensions.
“The Consequential Increase Review Committee, established in your instance by the Secretary to the State Government on July 19, 2022, held its first and only meeting on August 2, 2022. We haven’t heard anything from the committee,” he said.
However, the pensioners, expressing their unwavering support for the Abiodun-led government, called for their representatives to be present along with organized labor at the negotiating table constituted on the new national wage increase.
In her speech, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Department, Lydia Fajumbo, assured pensioners that the government would continue to do its best to meet their demands.
