Following the increasing calls by well-meaning individuals particularly Deltans to purchase health insurance for their people, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), under the pragmatic leadership of the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, has again achieved a major feat as the commission enrolled over 500 indigent Deltans who couldn’t afford healthcare into the scheme.
The Director General made the disclosure on Monday 10th June 2024, at Ute Alohen community in Ute-Okpu kingdom, Ika north east and Idumu-Omu, Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha north local government areas of Delta State on the occasion of the flag-off of the registration of 400 indigent enrollee adoptees of Dr. Sunday Nwachukwu and Mr. Martins Bolum respectively.
Delivery his address, the Chief Executive Officer, Olorogun Akpoveta, applauded their gestures in this era of wants towards their kinsmen and women for the sole purpose of accessing healthcare.
The multiple title Chief, revealed that the adoption and purchase of health insurance for 400 vulnerable individuals from Ute-Ukpo, was in response to his (Olorogun Dr. Akpoveta) clarion call to all people of goodwill to key into the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative of the commission.
He stressed that it was not just an act of charity but a demonstration of profound empathy and a tangible commitment to the well-being of “our people”.
The Indigent Enrollee Adoption program, is a brainchild of the Director General of Delta State Contributory Health Commission, aims to ensure that every resident especially the indigents, regardless of their socio-economic status, have access to quality healthcare.
He said: “it gladdened my heart to see the spirit of solidarity and community support exemplified by this gentleman, whose noble gesture will provide essential healthcare coverage for those who need it most.
“With just N7000 per person you can purchase our health insurance card for your neighbor in need to access quality health care throughout the year.
“Healthcare should not be a luxury reserved for the privileged few; it is a fundamental human right that must be guaranteed to all.
“By stepping forward to adopt enrollees and purchase health insurance for the vulnerable members of your community, Dr. Nwachukwu, has demonstrated a profound understanding of this principle and shown us the power of determined action in creating positive change.
“As we witness the registration of the adoptees, I urge each and every one of us to be inspired by the selflessness and dedication of Dr. Nwachukwu.
“Let us all take up the mantle of responsibility and join hands in supporting our fellow community members who are in need. There are countless ways in which we can contribute to the well-being of those around us, “SAVE A LIFE TODAY”.
He stressed that “together, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.
“Let us seize this moment as a call to action, a reminder that our collective strength lies in our ability to care for one another and uplift those who are less fortunate.
“This is what the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the Present administration of His Excellency Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori stands for. Think M.O.RE. And do MORE for your neighbor”, he said.
He noted that since its inception, the DSCHC has made remarkable progress in fulfilling its mandate, adding that “We have implemented various programs aimed at improving healthcare access and quality across the state.
“These programs include the Equity Health Plan paid for by the Government for all pregnant women and children who are under five years; Formal Health Plan and the Informal Health Plan; in addition we are implementing The Access To Finance Initiative for the hard to reach areas of the state.
“The Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Program (TISHIP) for Students, The Artisans Enrollee Inducement Initiative; and of course the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative, in furtherance of which we are here today.
“Through these initiatives, we have been able to significantly increase healthcare coverage and improve health outcomes for our people.
As of today, our enrolment statistics stands over 2 million insured.
“This figure is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of delta state have placed in our commission and its programs. However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done, and we remain committed to expanding our reach and impact across the state”.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Austine Obidi, told the elated enrollees that anyone who is sick, should approach the commission and such would be provided with free healthcare.
He said: “Send messages to other sons and daughters to buy health insurance for you.
“With your card, you can get quality healthcare. Apart from this package, there are others, pregnant women, is free and children under five years, is equally free”, Obidi said.
Speaking at the event, the donor, Dr. Sunday Nwachukwu, assured the Dr. Akpoveta that this was not the last time he and his team would come to his country home to register more people.
“I know my people, the moment they know that such a thing is happening in Idumu-Omo, they will do more.
“It is my Social Corporate Responsibility, I am from here and whatever I am today, I got it from my people and I don’t want my people to be dying for reasons that are preventable.
“I know that they are primitive farmers, they do not have what it takes to go and have access to qualify healthcare. With the passion that my people should have access to modern healthcare, it became imperative for me to incorporate them into the scheme which the State government has put in place that is so much subsidized. Let the people go there”.
He reiterated that the essence was a compassion for his people to ensure that they do not die for reasons that are preventable.
Also speaking, National President of Ute-Alohen, Dr. Shadrach Omunu, a retired Chief Consultant Surgeon, said about 400 Indigenes of the community were registered into the health insurance scheme.
“What it means is that once you are enrolled, in the next one year, you will go to any hospital of your choice to be given free treatment.
He asked the beneficiaries to pray for him (Dr. Nwachukwu) just as he called on other well meaning indigenes to join in the kind gesture.
Similarly, at Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha north local government area of the State, a staff of the Commission and Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Comrade Martins Bolum, who triples as the Chairman of Idumu-Omo Welfare Association, equally registered about 110 indigent members of the community, revealing that the association is targeting a total of 200 persons.
He disclosed that while the registration was on, 10 other persons were added.
“We say that charity begins at home. I work in the Delta State Contributory health Commission and I know the value of health insurance.
“I am the chairman of my welfare association. So, the first mark of welfare is good health. We decided to enroll our people, everybody in the community into the health scheme so that we can have access to good health and reduce mortality rate in our community.
“We have paid for 110 persons today, and as we were registering, another 10 persons have cropped up and we are mobbing up and we are targeting 200 persons and I know within a short while, we should be able to get all of them in”, he assured.
