By Edebor Esther Ihunanyachi
In its commitment to sustain the awareness of the need to stay fit while getting the full grasp of the benefits of the Edo State Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS), the Edo Health Insurance Commission (EDHIC) organizes a quarterly medical and fitness program tagged ‘GETFIT with EDOHIS’ to drive the message of all-round wellness provided by the scheme at a minimal cost.
In the light of the above, the fifth edition of the fitness program in partnership with Starllion Fitness Gym, Edo State Sports Commission, the Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Olivia Waters, amongst other partners, was held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.
It featured free health examination which comprised vital signs, eye screening, Covid vaccination, health and nutritional talks as well as different exercise drills.
Addressing journalists, Dr. Rock Amegor, Director General, Edo State Health Insurance Commission (EDHIC), said that the event is organized quarterly to sensitize Edo people on how to live healthily in order to improve their health and enjoy quality life.
He further said that the integrated medical service and fitness exercise will gradually spread to the other senatorial districts of the State to ensure that the objectives of the event are achieved.
Also present at the event was the Commissioner for Youths and Gender Issues, Mr. Andrew Emwanta, who described the event as a beautiful initiative that avails people the opportunity to know their health status, and added that the event has kept the youths busy during every edition.
Emwanta also stated that “The Edo Health Insurance Scheme cuts across all ages,” and stressed that “exercise is a key lubricant to good living”.
He commended the management of the EDHIC while giving the assurance of the ministry’s support to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, who was also a participant in the event, pledged continued collaboration with EDHIC.
According to Izedonmwen, the partnership is in the best interest of the health of Edo people in bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of the people, and assured, “we do not just want to give quality health services to the people, we want to encourage them to stay healthy by exercising often.”
Similarly, in her contribution, Mrs. Anehita Emeya, Executive Member, Edo State Sports Commission, said: “The intervention has helped a lot of people to know their health status and the event is creating awareness about the Health Insurance Scheme.”
She described the EDHIC initiative as laudable, and said that the event has yielded positive results over time.
According to her, Physical fitness is key as it helps to curb a lot of illnesses. She called on Edo people to take their health seriously by signing up with the EDOHIS, and reduce the amount of money spent on medication and treatment.
Dr. Celestina Yusuf, a Medical Personnel, who gave a talk on depression, stated that females are at higher risks of depression. She advised people who, at any point of their lives, feel depressed to open up to trusted friends and family members and to seek further help from health professionals.
Delivering the sensitization talk, Miss Oyenoye Uzebu, Business Development Executive, EDOHIC, enlightened the participants on the several packages of the Edo Health Insurance Scheme, (EDOHIS) to include the individual health plans comprising the equity, student, bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans with the varying costs as well as the family plan which provides for 5% discount for a family of four and above an any health plan.
Miss Uzebu further highlighted the numerous benefits of the scheme to include the reduction of out-of-pocket expenses, quality and affordable health care as well as easy and timely access to qualified medical personnel.
A participant at the event, Edna Uwagboe, said the event is laudable and gets better with every outing.
