The Nation Newspaper

Tag: health

  • God’s word: Key to divine health

    We learn from scriptures that all the virtues of healing, including total health, reside in the Word. First, the Word of God is the all-purpose Balm for the all-round restoration of our health and vitality. Second, according to scriptures, the Word of God is the way out of the challenges of life; including sicknesses and diseases. As it is written: My son attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:20-23; see also Luke 5:17).

    We saw from scriptures that throughout the life and ministry of Jesus, He went about healing all those oppressed of the devil by the Word. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says: And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them (Luke 5:17; see also Psalm 107:20).

    That means that as Jesus was teaching, God’s Word became an automatic channel for the release of the power of God through which the people were healed. For instance, the woman with the spirit of infirmity for 18 years was made whole at the instance of the Word (Luke 13: 11). To the paralytic, Jesus’ Words were, ‘Take up thy bed and walk.’ And He became whole instantly (John 5:8). In Mathew 8:5-13, the Centurion, knowing the power of the Word of God, proclaimed: ‘Speak the Word only and my servant shall be healed.’ Miraculously, his servant was healed that self same hour. Furthermore, in 1969, I got healed of tuberculosis and I am still hale and hearty till today. I said ‘Jesus, if it true that You did all that they said You did in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, do it now!’, and as soon as faith came alive in the validity of scriptures, the darkness of tuberculosis fled from my body and today by His grace, I am one of the healthiest mortals on the earth.

    This establishes that there is no other source in this world that can compare with the efficacy of the Balm in Gilead. This Balm does not only answer for the living, it answers, also, for the dead (John 11:25, 39-44). Consequently, while every other medicine only attempts to cure, the Balm in Gilead guarantees cure and beyond that, guarantees restoration. As it is written: His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth (Job 33:21-25).

    Thus, the Word of God is all we need to be in command of all sicknesses and diseases. This is because revelation in the Word is our ransom from the harassment of sicknesses and diseases. Let us recognise that every sickness is the work of the powers of darkness, but darkness disappears at the instance of light. ‘Light’ here connotes revelation, which is spiritual understanding of our rights in God and walking in the consciousness of same. It is from the Word of God that we access light that empowers us for dominion over sicknesses and diseases (Psalms 119:130). Whenever revelation breaks forth, diseases disappear on their own accord. However, we become victims of sicknesses and diseases when we lack light; but access to light makes us candidates of total health. It is written: And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5; see also Revelation 3:7). This may sound simple, but powerful and unbeatable. Therefore, we shouldn’t allow the devil confuse us regarding the simplicity of the gospel so as not to  miss out on the healing virtues embedded in the Word.

    What, then, are the virtues in the Word that heals?

    • God’s Word is Medicinal: Proverbs 4:22 talks about health to all your flesh; in the original context the word health means ‘medicine’ to all your flesh. So, God’s Word is medicinal (Psalm 107:20).
    • God’s Word is Surgical: Whatever is not curable must be repairable; so, God’s Word is surgical. It has the capacity to repair any part of our system. When God made man, He said, It is not good for man to be alone, I want to make a help meet for him. So, man was put to sleep and God operated on him (Genesis 2:21-23). God is the Master Surgeon and He is still operating on people via His surgical Word (John 1:1-3).
    • God’s Word is Creative: If it cannot be cured, it can be repaired; if it cannot be repaired, it can be replaced (John 1:1-3).
    • Divine Nature: So, we partake of God’s divine nature from the Word and that is our ultimate immunity against every sickness and disease (2 Peter 1:4).

    In conclusion, if these are the virtues embedded in the Word, then it is wisdom to become Word addicts. Let’s recognise that if we are not Word addicts, we stand to be tormented. However, it is the Word we engage that brings total health, not just the Word we understand and receive. This is why it is wisdom to pay the price to access revelation at all costs, engage with our findings so that our profiting can appear to all (Luke 5:4-7; 1 Timothy 4:13, 15; James 2:18-24, 26).

    Nevertheless, according to scriptures, healing, health and wholeness are exclusively reserved for the redeemed. Are you born again? If you are not, this is an opportunity to do so. Simply say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!”  For further reading, please get my books: Keys to Divine Health, The Healing Balm, The Miracle Meal and Fulfilling Your Days. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have five services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 01-4548070, 01-4548280; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

  • Postpone your burial

    Postpone your burial

    Living up to a 100 years or more is a feat most people want to achieve, and this can be achieved when good health is actualized. Health, afterall they say, is wealth.

    In order to stay fit, fresh and last longer than people within your age bracket, you need to take your health and issues around it very seriously, in that way, you would have postponed your burial!!!

    Here are five simple tips and tricks on how to stay in good health and enjoy a healthy long life

    1. Eat right:

    A comprehensive review of thousands of studies on diet, physical activity, and weight conducted for the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research pointed to the benefits of eating mostly foods of plant origin. Fruits and vegetables such as carrots, red tomatoes, grapes, avocados, berries, apple and garlic showed some of the strongest links to cancer prevention. They’re low in calories and fat and packed with phytochemicals and antioxidants that may help reduce your cancer risk and increases your chances of living a long healthy life. Green tea, avocados, walnuts, have also been observed through research to make people look younger and fresher.

    However, you should be careful with the intake of these fruits and vegetables as antioxidants can be dangerous to health.

    Adding extra unnecessary antioxidants (vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A) to our diet can be dangerous. You can eat as many fruits as you like but don’t forget that almost all things are poisonous in large enough quantities – even water, though you would have to drink an awful lot to kill you.

    A Cochrane Review published in 2016, which looked at the results of hundreds of individual studies, found out that current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the general population or in patients with various diseases as they could increase the chances of death for such patients, they advised for moderate intake of fruits to achieve maximum health optimization.

    1. Get up and move about:

    New Research in Public library of science (PLOS) Medicine 2009, has actually put a number on the benefits of physical exercise, finding that 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week (think: 5 days of 30-minute workouts, like walking, bicycling, or hiking) will earn you an extra 3.4 years, and even just 75 minutes a week (that’s 10 minutes a day!) could extend your life by 1.8 years. Exercise is good for you. Really good for you! So whether you’ve been sidelined due to an injury or are just straight-up lazy lately, do what it takes to safely get yourself back in the game—because even 10 minutes a day will stretch your lifespan.

    1. Turn off the Television:

    Too much time in front of the television can take a serious toll on your health. A team of researchers at Tohoku University in Japan, led by neuroscientist Hikaru Takeuchi, first published findings on a study that people who watched television four or more hours a day were 46% more likely to die from any cause than people who watched less than two hours a day.

    Even cutting back a little can help because they found out that each additional hour you watch television increases your overall risk of dying by 11% and dying from heart disease by 18%.

    1. Stay out of the sun:

    Avoiding too much sun can head off skin cancer, and it can also keep you looking young by preventing wrinkles, fine lines, and saggy skin. Although Nigeria can be very sunny, It’s never too early or too late to add sunscreen to your daily skincare regimen and don’t focus only on your face, your chest and feet can also get splotches and spots when you ignore them. You can also walk around with an umbrella to avoid the harsh impact of the sun on your skin especially in Nigeria.

    1. Quit smoking:

    This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to postpone your burial. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who quit smoking by age 35 add roughly six to eight years to their lives.

    It’s never too late to kick the habit. Quitting can slow disease and increase survival odds even in smokers who have already caused significant damage to their lungs, like those with early lung cancer.

    These few easy tips can help you add 10-15 years to your life span… So, go postpone that burial!!!

  • Needless secrecy over PMB’s health

    SIR: Despite being tagged as the most honest Nigerian with an unmatched integrity and incorruptibility, if President Muhammadu Buhari finds it difficult to be open and sincere to Nigerians who massively turned out to elect him into office by making public his state of health and challenge, then Nigeria is in a deeper mess than we all thought.

    It’s unfortunate that despite having in place the freedom of information law which allows and empowered every Nigerian to demand access to information, the populace have been continually kept in the dark of the health condition of their President.

    While in office as British Prime Ministers, Harold Wilson had colon cancer, Tony Blair was diagnosed with a heart disease, supra-ventricular trachycardia; Gordon Brown was diagnosed with an eye disease and even the current Prime Minister, Theressa May has recently been diagnosed of diabetes. Not only were the British told and rightly carried along about the ailments of their leaders, but the whole world was in the know.

    Former Presidents of the United States of America; John F.Kennedy had autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome while in office; Franklin Roosevelt had polio and Ronald Reagan was diagnosed of Alzheimer’s disease. None of these was kept a secret from American citizens and the whole world. Similarly, when former French President Fracoise Mitterrand was diagnosed of prostate cancer, he came out publicly to tell the world.

    The secrecy that has surrounded the health and medical vacation of the president is unnecessary, unfortunate and to say the least, embarrassing. Change should not only be about fighting corruption but total deviation from the way and manner things were done in the past. Leadership and common sense have not been applied so far as regards carrying Nigerians along about the health of the President.

    It’s true that President Buhari validly handed over power to his deputy to act on his behalf so that governance can continue in his absence; the fact that our tax is being used to foot his medical bills and other expenses gives us the right to ask questions and demand answers on what’s going on with our president. Nigerians has the right ro know.

     

    • Hussain Obaro,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • Killer disease in Kogi diagnosed as gastroenteritis

    Killer disease in Kogi diagnosed as gastroenteritis

    The Kogi State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu, on Sunday said that the alleged unknown disease has been diagnosed to be gastroenteritis and therefore called for calmness.

    The commissioner told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lokoja that those so far diagnosed were found to be suffering from gastroenteritis and malaria.

    The state Ministry of Health, had in a statement, said that the disease killed many people in Okunran, Okoloke and Isanlu-Esa in Yagba West Local Government Area.

    “The current information available to us is that the disease actually started six weeks ago in Okoloke village in Yagba West, which is a settlement that is predominantly inhabited by Fulani herdsmen.

    “There have been cases of reported deaths following abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, but the patients who showed signs of illness had since been evacuated and transported to Kogi State Specialist Hospital Lokoja, for better treatment.

    “So far, we have evacuated 39 patients from Okoloke area and only six of them were admitted and have shown significant sign of improvement while others have since been discharged.

    “Out of the six that were admitted, three of them were diagnosed of gastroenteritis and the remaining three were just cases of malaria, and they have shown remarkable signs of improvement,” Audu said.

    He also stressed that the disease was not Lassa fever, saying the result of samples taken from the patients to Irua General Hospital for investigation proved negative.

    On the 62 persons earlier reported to have died, the commissioner said the figure was given by local leaders in the affected areas and was yet to be verified by government.

    “ We will investigate and trace the dead people to the grave yard and come up with the correct figure.

    “We want to assure the general public that government is doing all that is humanly possible to stay on top of the situation and forestall further loss of lives.

    “We will continue to inform the public as the investigation progresses,’’ Audu said.(NAN)

  • Buhari’s health

    I mused over the new health mecca to London to see President Buhari and wondered whether whoever organised it thought it through. Over a dozen governors and ministers have undertaken this pilgrimage, and I thought of how much progress we could have made if all the money spent there were converted to pay medical bills at home. The governors who went might have gone out of obligation. They know how much that money can do, if they convert it to drugs for those suffering from typhoid fever or malaria. The airfare alone would amount to not less than N50 million for all of them. Hotels may gulp another N50 million. Governors don’t travel alone. It takes barely N20K to heal a case of malaria or Typhoid. Many Nigerians turn back from hospitals because they would rather spend that money on food or their kids’ school fees if they can afford it.

    Did the organisers think by telling the governors how well Buhari is, all questions will seize? Haba!

    So, a few governors went, and others occluded. So, are we saying because Fayose lambasts the president, Ekiti people have no right to know if the president is well? We can save all these if Buhari and his men are not tech Neanderthals. Could he not have appeared to us all on Skype, and other media. The problem was the fear or contempt of not updating on the nature and state of the health from the beginning. Again, we are tired of the word “soon.” Kalu, the first lady, Okorocha have used the word “soon” since. It will soon become outdated. The President shouldn’t have laughed at those carrying rumours about his condition. They are only doing what humans do in the absence of facts: they filled the void.

  • Ojudu to Fayose: stop playing God on Buhari’s health

    Ojudu to Fayose: stop playing God on Buhari’s health

    Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has advised Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose to key into empowerment programmes of the Federal Government to better the lot of his people.

    Ojudu warned Fayose to stop playing God on the health of President Muhammadu Buhari “through doomsday predictions that the nation’s No. 1 citizen will die and unfounded allegation that he is on a life support machine.”

    The presidential aide said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would return to power in 2018, to give good governance.

    Ojudu who addressed reporters during a media breakfast in his Ado-Ekiti residence on Sunday, identified such empowerment programmes as School Feeding Programme, Rice Outgrowers Scheme, Cocoa Farm Renewal Scheme, Emergency Relief Fund, among others, which other states enjoy.

    He claimed Fayose has not shown interest in the schemes, which will benefit Ekiti residents, but rather turned himself into an “opposition leader.”

    The presidential adviser noted that Fayose is embarrassing his people by mocking Buhari’s health challenges, warning him to “stop playing God on the President’s health.”

    Ojudu said: “A governor is supposed to govern and provide good governance for the people who elected him and not to be wishing the President dead. It is not the duty of a governor to be telling Nigerians the President will soon die, that he is on life support.

    “If the governor (Fayose) wishes the President dead, it is not reasonable; when the governor abuses the President everyday, that is not the way we are brought up in Yoruba land where we always wish a sick person quick recovery.

    “Why will somebody arrogate the power of God to himself? Nobody knows who will die tomorrow and why do our governor always wish the President dead? Are you his doctor, are you his God? Why will somebody arrogate God’s power to himself, that individual is not a normal human being and that is insanity.”

    Ojudu stressed that Buhari has been transparent on his health, and transmits power to the Vice President anytime he travels on medical vacation, a scenario different from the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration.

  • Senior health workers seek end to hate speeches

    Nigerians have been called upon to dissociate themselves from hate speeches. According to the executives of Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI), the dangerous trend of hate speeches is becoming alarming. Also the call for disintegration of the country should be promptly and vigorously attended to.

    SSAUTHRIAI executives made this known at the end of their two-day meeting in Makurdi, Benue.

    They said after thorough discussion and critical evaluation of the situation, council agreed that the solution to the problem was for the government to allow true Federalism as suggested by many eminent Nigerians and governors.

    “The council noted that no progress is made towards the implementation of the agreements with JOHESU which prompted again JOHESU’s letter ref. HQ/JOHESU/ADM/ VOL. 11/380 of 12th May, 2017 to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Council urged the Federal Government to expedite action on the release of necessary circulars on adjusted CONHESS, 65 years retirement age and funds to settle all the issues in dispute to prevent another crisis in the health sector. We hereby use this medium to call on Mr. President to prevail on the Minister of Health and other Agencies of Government to implement agreements reached with unions.

    “Council observed the non-payment of arrears of promotion (years 2011 to 2016), relativity allowance and other allowances due to members of the union by the various managements of our tertiary hospitals. The council hereby urged the Federal Government to urgently release funds for the payment of all outstanding arrears failing which the union may embark on industrial action. Council also noted the action of the Federal Ministry of health (FMOH) in directing that promotion of our members who have skipped CONHESS 10 and are now on CONHESS 11 and above, should be on the same grade level. This directive is not only absurd, but also negates the dictates of the Public Service Rules. Council, therefore, calls on the Minister of Health to reverse the directive in order to ensure continuous industrial harmony.”

  • ‘Why holistic health treatment is better’

    ‘Why holistic health treatment is better’

    •Father Adodo launches new book

    Traditional Medicine (TM) and Alternative Complementary Medicine (CAM) experts have restated the need for holistic treatment, saying it is the best way to go in healthcare.

    According to them, holistic healing touches the whole person –  body, mind, spirit and emotions.

    They spoke at the launch of the Director of Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, Fr. Anselm Adodo’s new book, entitled: “Integral Community Enterprise in Africa” in Ikeja, Lagos.

    According to them, modern medicine has evolved into more discoveries of new drugs and  forms of treatment to cure diseases. These are the conventional methods to give relief and to cure illness that are applied to most people.

    However, another kind of treatment has given rise to a more realistic approach to cure illness – the holistic way which is a kind of treatment that would go back to the basic roots of the cause of the illness and the person’s whole being as an important part of this treatment.

    Fr Adodo said holistic treatment is an approach rather than a treatment. It treats more the lifestyles of the person and identifies the imbalances which may cause some negative effects to his health,, he said.

    “It focuses on the root cause of the disease and the goal is to eliminate the disease by encouraging the person to strive for wholeness and healthy living. The benefits of holistic treatments are: Quicker relief for pain, improvement of over-all general health,  understanding the need for a well-balanced lifestyle, awareness of keeping environment safe and healthy, use of more natural resources- natural herbs and medicines. And the application of more natural methods to cure illness, such as proper nutrition, exercise, detoxification and other natural non-invasive treatments.

    “That is why I am advocating that Africa needs a new model of development, is the summary of my book; that is, Communitalism as an Alternative to Capitalism. That is the reason I wrote the book. I was inspired to write the book because of my desire to make a change, no matter how small, in the society,”Fr Adodo said.

    He said communitalism is thinking African to solve Africa problems. Seeing community problems through an African eye and proferring solutions that is at home to the indigenes.

    “It is a new theory and it is deliberate. It challenges capitalism. It is about researching African problems and bringing about solutions to enterprises, education, health etc, with African eyes based on nature, communities models, and not following eurocentric models that has not worked for us,” Fr Adodo said.

    Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Emma Egwu, a member of the House of Representatives, thanked Fr. Adodo for sharing his knowledge and documenting same in a book form. He urged all Nigerians to cultivate a culture of reading and appreciating ideas rather than focusing on materials things.

    Former consultant, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof Joseph Okogun,  described the book as ambitious and revolutionary, adding that it offers refreshing and positive insight into a more integral way of business management, enterprise and community development as well as holistic healing in Africa.

    Okugun, a Emeritus professor of chemistry, said through extensive fieldwork spanning 20 years, the author goes beyond mere polemics to demonstrate that there is an alternative to capitalism in Africa, and in the world.

    In her remarks, wife of former  Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, praised Fr. Adodo and the management of Paxherbals for charting new frontiers in herbal medicine and touching the lives of many Nigerians.

    She urged Fr. Adodo to un relent in his research and vision to transform the society.

    Book reviewer of the day, Dr. Reuben Abati, a former Special adviser to president Goodluck Jonathan, described the book as of significant scholarly insight and interest.

    He said: ‘’It seems to me that  Adodo’s most compelling argument is that the world needs a new model of development, and that new model may not come from the centre, but from the periphery.  The problem however with that periphery, is that the leaders and the people themselves seem to have bought into the inferiorisation project, into one way of seeing the world, a kind of slave mentality co-optation which violates the people’s identity and pushes them willy-nilly into an identity and self-authentication crisis.

    ‘’This predominance of an emerging unitarist view of reality robs the world of the advantages of inclusiveness, also of a broad range of useful knowledge.  We live then, in a divided world that is in urgent need of transformation, innovation and a new paradigm of thinking. This transformation would require new modes of doing, of action, of being, of learning and understanding.’’

    Other dignitaries at the book launch were The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins; former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Prof. Maurie Iwu; Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Babatunde Salako, and President of Nigerian Council of physicians of Natural Medicine, Archbishop Magnus Atilade.

  • Buhari ‘laughs at lies’ on his health

    Buhari ‘laughs at lies’ on his health

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday laughed at lies on his state of health,  Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha said after a meeting in London.

    Okorocha led some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in company with National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun on a vist to Buhari, who is on medical vacation in London.

    Those on the trip are: Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Governors Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa); Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); and Yahaya Bello (Kogi)

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo told the nation that the President is recuperating fast after visiting him on July 11.

    Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina last night made available the photograph of the London parley.

    He also issued a statement: “In a telephone conversation following the meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and leaders with President Muhammadu Buhari in London Sunday, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, said the President was very cheerful and has not lost any bit of his sense of humour.

    “The governor said the party delegation spent more than an hour with President Buhari over lunch, and it was very clear from the discussions that he followed developments at home very closely.

    “He said the President was delighted to receive the delegation and asked each governor about affairs in his state. He also asked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, about the state of the railways.

    “When asked to react to all the negative things being said about him, the President just laughed, describing such negative reports as lies. Governor Okorocha said President Buhari was completely unperturbed by the cocktail of lies. He, instead, sent his best wishes to Nigerians.

    “According to the governor, Nigerians don’t have to worry at all, adding that President Buhari will be back as soon as the doctors give him the green light.

    “By our visit to London today, the merchants of lies have been put out of business and Nigerians will not buy the garbage they have been selling. All those who look up to fake news can find better use for their time,” Okorocha noted.

  • Oyo Exco members, others register for health insurance scheme

    Members of Oyo State Executive (Exco), the Speaker of the House of Assembly, political appointees and senior government officials are among the over 3,000 people who have enrolled for the recently launched Oyo State Health Insurance Scheme (OYSHIA).

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, spoke yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on the need for the residents to register under the scheme.

    The commissioner urged the public to take advantage of the registration for the scheme at the nearest government and accredited hospitals around them to benefit from what he called a cheap, affordable, accessible and unique health insurance programme.

    Arulogun said the Exco members were led for the registration by Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo in demonstrating the commitment of the government to quality health care and health insurance scheme.

    The registration of Exco members was done at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office.

    The commissioner said Speaker Michael Adeyemo registered when the House of Assembly team visited the Assembly complex.

    Ajimobi had registered at the formal launch of the scheme, as part of the sixth anniversary of his administration.

    Executive Secretary of OYSHIA, Dr Sola Akande, noted that the residents had  embraced the scheme, following the enquiries and warm reception for its team.

    He advised the residents  to register under the scheme, which he called the of first of its kind by any state government.

    Arulogun said the scheme covers almost all ailments, adding that it is free for expectant mothers  and children between the ages of one and five years.

    He added that the insurance scheme was carefully designed for the rich and the less privileged in the state.