Over two million, four hundred thousand Deltans have now subscribed to the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC).
The Director General cum Chief Executive Officer (DG/CEO), of the scheme, Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said that so far about two million, four hundred thousand Deltans have been enrolled into the health insurance scheme.
Speaking on Monday December 16, 2024, during the registration of 450 indigent Enrollees Adoption Initiative in Uvwie, the administrative headquarter of Uvwie local government and another 100 in Otor-Iwreko, the administrative headquarter of Ughelli north local areas of the State, the DG, said Delta is the only State that has achieved that major feat in the universal health coverage across the country.
He said: “today, we have registered well over 2.4 million Deltans into the scheme, receiving care in hospitals across the State. It is the highest in the country. In fact, we are number one in West Africa, now”.
He appealed for more Deltans to heed to the clarion call to purchase health insurance for the vulnerable members of their communities and families in order to access health care.
“I want to appeal to everyone of you to go home, talk to your neighbours. With just N7, 000 you will pay, you will get a card. With that card, you will receive treatment for one year.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori wants you to be well and so he is subsidizing it, you will pay only N7, 000 but he is paying much more.
“The key initiative we are driving is that for every individual whether you are rich or poor, whether you are leaving far from the city, whether you are an old man or you are young, weak or strong, you must get the indigent Enrollees Adoption Initiative and for that our brother has done wonderfully”.
He told the beneficiaries that the initiative was introduced by the State government to look after her citizens, “nobody must be left behind and that is why Governor Oborevwori set up, empowered and called on this Commission to ensure that we make sure that the health centers and general hospitals are ready for you.
He commended the sponsors, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata and Hon. Dr. Otemu Olotu Akpodiete who have set a shining example for other Deltans who are well to do to follow, particularly those who are yet to register the indigents and vulnerable in their midst.
The purchase of the health insurance scheme for 450 and another 100 indigent and vulnerable members of Uvwie and Otor-Iwhreko communities were in response to the noble call of the Commission and all people of goodwill to key into the Indigent Enrollees Adoption Initiative.
He described it as an act of charity in demonstration of profound empathy and tangible commitment to the well-being of “our people”, stressing that the initiative is aimed at ensuring that in spite of the socio-economic status, all should have access to quality healthcare.
According to him, healthcare should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged but a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to all.
He pointed out that Hon. Ighrakpata and Dr. Akpodiete understood the principal hence they stepped out to purchase health insurance for their people.
Speaking separately, Hon. Ighrakpata and Hon. Olotu emphasized that their initiative was a small but meaningful way of giving back to society, recognizing that good health is essential for people to enjoy or benefit from the dividends of democracy promised by the current administration.
“I decided that this programme should be for everyone. As long as you live in this community, you are a part of it,” Hon. Ighrakpata stated.
He continued, “What I am doing here today is to complement the efforts of our governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. When he assumed office, he promised us more, and this is part of the benefits you are experiencing today.
“The governor or the government cannot do everything, so we must also play our part. This is in line with the spirit of the MORE Agenda.”
Hon. Ighrakpata encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the programme, noting that their positive feedback would inspire him to extend the scheme.
“By the special grace of God, by March next year, I will register another 500 people,” he pledged.
Reflecting on his earlier political aspirations, Hon. Dr. Olotu said, “When I contested for the House of Representatives, one of my primary goals was to ensure that people were enrolled in a health insurance scheme. Although I didn’t achieve that ambition, I decided to pursue it anyway to promote better health.
“Many people complain about not enjoying the dividends of democracy (Ukodo), but I always remind them that good health is essential to fully benefit from it.”
