By Jumai Nwachukwu
The Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has lauded the Mother and Child Hospital in Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Local Government Area, for its high-quality service delivery.
He described the facility as pivotal to the success of the state’s Equity Health Plan targeted at improving access to care for pregnant women and children under five.
Dr. Akpoveta gave the commendation during a monitoring visit to the hospital, accompanied by members of the Commission’s communications team.
The visit was aimed at evaluating the hospital’s capacity to deliver efficient maternal and child healthcare services, while also showcasing the Delta State Government’s commitment to quality healthcare under the MORE Agenda.
He explained that the Equity Health Plan is designed to eliminate financial barriers to healthcare for vulnerable groups, particularly expectant mothers and young children, ensuring they receive timely and quality medical attention.
According to him, maternal and child health remains a top priority for the state government, with facilities such as the Owa-Alero Mother and Child Hospital playing a critical role in advancing this objective.
Akpoveta noted that the hospital’s comprehensive service offerings, including antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal services, position it as a key partner in efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates across the state.
He commended the hospital’s management and staff for their professionalism and dedication, urging them to sustain high standards in patient care.
The Director-General also highlighted the availability of modern medical equipment at the facility, which, he said, enables patients to access a range of diagnostic services without the need for referrals to distant locations.
He assured that the Commission would continue to deepen collaboration with accredited healthcare providers to ensure enrollees fully benefit from services under the Equity Health Plan.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment, Akpoveta emphasized ongoing investments in health infrastructure and the expansion of the contributory health scheme to enhance access to care for all residents.
He added that the monitoring exercise forms part of broader efforts to advance the Governor’s MORE Agenda in the health sector and to ensure that participating facilities meet required standards for effective service delivery.
Akpoveta reiterated that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori remains committed to ensuring that no resident of the state is denied access to essential healthcare services.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Martins Egbase, commended the leadership of the DSCHC, the Hospitals Management Board, and the Delta State Ministry of Health for their continued support and promotion of the state’s healthcare achievements.
Dr. Egbase described the visit as timely, noting that it provided an opportunity for officials to assess firsthand the experiences of beneficiaries and strengthen the implementation of the state’s free maternal and under-five healthcare policy.
He added that the hospital, established three years ago, was designed to reduce maternal mortality as well as neonatal morbidity and mortality in the state.
He observed that the government’s intervention has significantly reduced the financial burden associated with accessing healthcare, encouraging early medical attention among pregnant women and improving overall outcomes.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Beauty Goodluck, expressed appreciation for the programme, stating that she has not incurred any cost since enrolling for antenatal care at the facility.
“I have been receiving antenatal services here without paying any fees. The health workers are supportive, and we are grateful to the state government for this initiative,” she said.
