The Oyo State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has entered a partnership with the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA) to expand access to affordable and quality healthcare services for rural communities across the state.
The collaboration was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting held last Friday at the OYSHIA office in the State Secretariat, Ibadan, where both agencies outlined plans to improve health coverage for residents living in hard-to-reach areas.
Speaking at the meeting, Adeola Ekundayo, Project Coordinator of Oyo State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), said the partnership aligns with the commitment of the present administration to improving the welfare of residents, especially those in rural communities. She said the initiative supports the broader development agenda of the state.
Ekundayo noted that the collaboration complements the efforts of the Oyo State Government under the leadership of Seyi Makinde to promote food security, rural development, and improved access to essential social services. According to her, RAAMP is focused on more than road construction alone.
She explained that beyond the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, RAAMP remains committed to initiatives that enhance the overall quality of life of rural dwellers. “Improved rural road infrastructure will not only help farmers move produce to markets but will also make it easier for residents to access healthcare facilities,” she said.
Ekundayo added that better road access directly supports the objectives of the state health insurance scheme by reducing travel time to health centres and lowering barriers to care for rural residents.
Also speaking, Sola Akande, Executive Secretary of OYSHIA, said collaboration with relevant stakeholders remains the most effective way to extend quality healthcare services to farmers and other rural residents. He described RAAMP as a strategic partner due to its close engagement with communities along RAAMP project corridors across the state.
Akande disclosed that OYSHIA has designed affordable health insurance packages to meet the needs of different groups. According to him, students who are residents of Oyo State can access healthcare services in accredited facilities for ₦3,500 per year.
He added that the individual health insurance plan costs ₦18,259 annually and covers one person, including routine medical tests, minor surgeries, and treatment for common ailments such as malaria and fever. For families, Akande said a family plan of four costs ₦47,250 per year, while a plan for six is ₦60,750 per year.
“These packages offer farmers, artisans, traders, and other rural dwellers the opportunity to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses and improve productivity,” Akande said. He assured that OYSHIA will continue working with Oyo RAAMP to drive awareness, increase enrollment, and ensure rural communities have access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
Both agencies said implementation activities will begin immediately across participating communities, with monitoring to ensure effective delivery statewide sustainably.
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