The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), under the leadership of Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, continues to make significant strides in providing accessible and affordable healthcare for vulnerable populations.
In a remarkable boost to the state’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals, the commission on Tuesday March 4, 2025, recorded the enrollment of 100 residents into its Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative (IEAI), ensuring that more underprivileged Deltans and residents gain access to quality medical services at no cost.
The IEAI, a brainchild of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission and milestone highlights Dr. Akpoveta’s commitment to healthcare inclusion, reinforcing the State government’s vision of a healthier and more equitable State.
While addressing the large gathering of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 11, Oshimili South Local Government Area, the Director-General, represented by the Commission’s Director of Administration and Human Resources, Comrade Bullum Marthins, expressed gratitude for the generous gesture of Engr. Smart Meka.
The donor enrolled 100 underprivileged Deltans and residents from the Jarret area of Cable Point in Oshimili South Council, an act that was warmly appreciated.
He said: “The Delta State Contributory Health Commission, just last week, the Governor in support of this program released the one billion naira he announced and as soon as it was released over the weekend, the DG, made sure that the money got to the hospitals.
“That one billion naira, without one naira missing, went straight to the hospitals, so all the hospitals have been paid”, disclosing that Dr. Akpoveta has commenced a tour to all the Zonal hospital heads to ensure strict compliance and the prudent utilization of funds.
“He is going around all the zonal hospitals to make sure that he inspects, and not only acknowledging that they have received the money but also that they use the money to pay for the drugs for the people.
“That is why he is not here, as I am talking to you now, he’s in Warri south, visiting the zonal hospital heads, meeting with the management of the hospitals.
“He started from Bomadi yesterday, he is going around the state, throughout this week to make sure that this money given by the governor is applied to the latter for our own good.
“And that is why we have the confidence to come to the people to say, we at the commission, Delta state government is ready and I know you are ready”, describing Engr. Meka, whose birthday coincided with the ceremony, as an exceptional and distinguished man.
“What we are doing here today, is something that the governor has promised the people in the MORE Agenda, more health to the people. The Contributory Health Scheme is a special scheme in which we attain to get to the universal health coverage.
“We have done so many things in the past and Delta state is always first, I want to announce to you that today, in the whole country Delta state is the best in the contributory health commission.
“Just sometime last year here, the governor received an award for the best health insurance scheme. We have covered over 40% of our population, which no state has done.
“Even the NHIA, now former NHIS, have not been able to do that in the country. But we’re able to do it because Delta State is always on top, we always take first. Now, we have done so many things in the past to tell our people that we love them.
“PDP is a political party that has always delivered. Delta State is PDP, and PDP is Delta State. I have not seen any other party in Delta State. And we must change the way we do things.
“So the governor, is providing MORE health for the people, has embraced this commission and the contributory health scheme. This does not stop us from, like my brother, the engineer did in December, he bought rice and chicken for you, is that not so?
“But it’s a healthy person that will enjoy rice and chicken. Is it not true? Many of our people, especially with the cost of drugs, so many of our persons are not able to take themselves to hospital and treat even simple malaria”.
He urged other political leaders in Oshimili South to support the initiative by enrolling up to a hundred beneficiaries, thereby qualifying for the Commission’s ambassadorial award.
Chairman of Oshimili south Council, Hon. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, PhD, appreciated the donor, Engr. Meka, for the kind gesture.
“First and foremost, I must commend him because, to be very truthful with you, I believe he is the first leader in the local government to take such an initiative,” he stated, emphasizing the uniqueness of the effort.
“While we were there, I was constantly commending him and discussing with him how we can move this forward to ensure that, as a local government, we are able to institutionalize this level of guidance.”
He further stressed the importance of collaboration with health centers, stating, “We truly appreciate this initiative, but the most important thing is ensuring that the different health centers involved in registration uphold their responsibilities.
Once an individual is registered, they must have access to the health center assigned to them, and we must guarantee that these centers fulfill their duties accordingly.”
Speaking on governance, he added, “I believe His Excellency will also play his part because anything Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori does is built on trust and integrity.
“That is why we believe in him, he is a straightforward leader. We must ensure that we benchmark every process so that people receive the best possible service.”
The delighted sponsor, Engr. Smart Meka, stated that he chose to give back to society as a meaningful way to celebrate his birthday.
“Four days from now, I suddenly realized my birthday is going to be today and I felt I needed to give back to the Ward where I came from and even though ordinarily every December we do Christmas, we assist.
“But something that is lasting, that is when I came up with this idea of queuing in into the state contributory health scheme to save a life today.
“And I feel I will not just do it without letting my political leaders know exactly what I am doing because over the years I have played politics for the past 25 years actively, every government must involve me I discovered that you must let your leaders know what you do and I quickly started calling on my leaders.
“The idea is to key in these people into this scheme, most of our people may be sick but they may not have money for treatment it is not enough to give somebody
20,000 10,000 5,000 2,000 if you key that person into this program the person will have access to the laudable program of the state government and that is this free medical care and this will help the others to enjoy the dividends of democracy”.
Engr. Smart Meka’s commitment to giving back to society has set a remarkable precedent for political and community leaders in Oshimili South.
His generous enrollment of 100 beneficiaries not only marks his birthday but also serves as an inspiration for others to contribute in their own capacities.
As highlighted, governance should be a collective effort, and political leaders must actively complement the government’s efforts at the grassroots level.
When beneficiaries return home and share their experiences, it strengthens the party’s connection with the people, reinforcing trust and support.
The impact of this initiative extends beyond immediate relief, it fosters a sense of belonging and active participation in governance.
Engr. Meka’s vision for continuity in this program demonstrates his long-term dedication to community development.
His promise to enroll another 100 beneficiaries before Christmas reflects a deep understanding of the pressing needs of the people.
With many still hoping to benefit, his assurance that no one will be left behind brings hope to those who were not selected in this phase.
If maintained over the next year, this project has the potential to create a lasting impact, setting a standard for political engagement and social responsibility across the region, calling on other leaders across the council to emulate similar gesture.
