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The Osun State Government has enrolled 1,200 inmates in the state’s correctional facilities into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS), a landmark step towards inclusive healthcare in Nigeria. The initiative was launched on Thursday at the Ilesa Medium Correctional Centre by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Governor Adeleke described the enrolment programme as a reflection of his administration’s commitment to justice, equity, and social welfare. According to him, inmates remain bonafide citizens of Osun State and Nigeria, deserving of healthcare coverage like every other resident.
“Today, we extend our healthcare coverage to inmates of correctional centres as a demonstration of our concern for the health and well-being of every segment of our society,” Adeleke said.
He also recalled that over 26,000 pensioners, as well as persons living with disabilities, had previously been enrolled for free under the OHIS. “This pace-setting gesture has been emulated by many states and, more recently, by the federal government,” he added.
The Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Osun, Olalekan Oluwadele, praised the initiative as a strong indication of the government’s commitment to the welfare of inmates.
According to him, the discussion that birthed the enrolment began in September 2024 between the Correctional Service and the OHIS Executive Secretary, Rasaq Akindele.
“Governor Adeleke graciously approved the enrollment of 1,200 inmates into the health insurance scheme. This shows his dedication to inclusive governance and prison reform,” Oluwadele said.
He also acknowledged other reforms, including the renovation of operational vehicles of the NCoS and the amnesty granted to 54 inmates in December 2024 to decongest prison facilities.
The Executive Secretary of OHIS, Dr. Rasaq Akindele, expressed gratitude to the governor for prioritising healthcare across all groups in the state. He stressed that the agency’s current success is largely due to the governor’s support and commitment to ensuring health insurance coverage reaches every citizen, regardless of their status.
Analysts describe the move as a bold attempt to bridge the healthcare inequality gap within correctional centres, where inmates often face poor medical access. Prison health reforms are increasingly seen as part of the broader drive towards achieving universal health coverage in Nigeria.
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