The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in conjunction with the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD), has enrolled over 25,000 truck drivers in the country into health insurance.
At the launch of the health insurance scheme held yesterday in Lagos, the PTD National Chairman, Comrade Augustine Egbon, noted that truck drivers encounter hazards in the course of their job which are injurious to their health with some leading to untimely deaths. To improve the health of tanker drivers, the chairman said it is imperative to bring them into the health insurance scheme.
“To stem the ugly trend, the leadership of our great union and that of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of the union decided to set aside some amount of money from our very meagre income to make provisions for healthcare services for this very important segment of our union under Leadway Health Limited’s health insurance scheme,” he said.
He added that the scheme will provide truck drivers access to medical care in hospitals under the Leadway Health Limited Insurance Scheme across the country.
“This will curb the frequent deaths or incapacitation from minor illnesses that our members have faced on the road for years. It will ensure that the health and well-being of all petroleum tanker drivers on the wheels are catered for,” he added.
Apart from the health insurance scheme, NUPENG general secretary, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, said there is a tripartite effort – social welfare insurance scheme by NARTO, PTD and NUPENG – to improve the welfare of truck drivers.
He stressed that each tanker driver that is captured on the health insurance scheme will get N30,000 as the welfare scheme for this year.
The CEO of Leadway Health Limited, Dr. Tokunbo Alli, said the health insurance scheme covers a full health plan which includes malaria, blood pressure, diabetes, dental, eye pain and kidney failure for dialysis.
“This is not like a malaria plan; this is a full health insurance cover. You are entitled to be treated when you have malaria, blood pressure, diabetes or any serious condition and if the sickness is serious enough, you are also eligible to be admitted.
“This plan covers ambulance transfer. In the event there will be an accident, the number that is in the sticker of your car. It covers dental issues, eye care and kidney failure for dialysis,” he said.
