The Osun State Government has officially commenced the registration of about 1,100 inmates. From the Ilesa and Ile-Ife Correctional Centres into its free health insurance programme. The scheme is designed to provide prisoners with quality medical care and reduce the strain on correctional facilities.
Speaking in Osogbo, the Executive Secretary of the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), Dr. Razaq Akindele. Disclosed that the initiative followed an appeal by the State Controller of Corrections, Rotimi Olalekan, who sought government assistance to improve inmate healthcare.
Akindele explained that Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier approved similar interventions for pensioners, over 26,000 of whom are already enjoying full medical coverage. The programme has also been extended to persons with disabilities. Who benefited from both health insurance and assistive devices, as well as to students in public schools.
According to him, the governor considered the request valid because inmates remain residents of Osun and will eventually rejoin society. Their inclusion, he noted, ensures equitable access to healthcare.
He further highlighted that over 450,000 students in public schools had been screened under state-backed health initiatives. Out of these, 46,000 were found to have vision challenges, and 43,000 received corrective eyeglasses at no cost.
On his part, the Osun Controller of Corrections, Olalekan, confirmed that his initial request was made when custodial centres housed roughly 1,200 inmates. However, the current population stands at about 1,100 due to admissions and routine releases.
He emphasized that until now, the Federal Government alone bore the responsibility of inmate healthcare. With Osun’s intervention, however, prisoners will enjoy improved medical services, ultimately aiding their rehabilitation and reintegration.
