The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) have successfully enrolled more than 25,000 truck drivers across the country in a comprehensive health insurance program.
The launch event for this groundbreaking health insurance scheme took place in Lagos yesterday, with Comrade Augustine Egbon, the National Chairman of PTD, highlighting the health risks faced by truck drivers during their duties, often resulting in untimely deaths.
Egbon emphasized the necessity of extending health insurance coverage to tanker drivers, stating, “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 meager income to make provisions for healthcare services for this very important segment of our union under Leadway Health Limited’s health insurance scheme.”
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Under the Leadway Health Limited Insurance Scheme, truck drivers will have access to medical care at hospitals nationwide, addressing concerns related to frequent deaths or incapacitation from minor illnesses on the road.
Comrade Olawale Afolabi, the NUPENG General Secretary, highlighted a tripartite effort for the welfare of truck drivers, including a social welfare insurance scheme by NARTO, PTD, and NUPENG. He disclosed that each tanker driver enrolled in the health insurance scheme will receive N30,000 as part of the welfare program for the year.
Dr. Tokunbo Alli, the CEO of Leadway Health Limited, detailed the comprehensive coverage provided by the health insurance scheme, encompassing malaria, blood pressure, diabetes, dental, eye pain, and kidney failure for dialysis.
He emphasized that this plan goes beyond a mere malaria plan, offering full health insurance cover, including ambulance transfer in case of accidents, dental care, eye care, and coverage for kidney failure requiring dialysis.
This initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring the well-being of petroleum tanker drivers on the roads across Nigeria.
