The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable and quality healthcare for residents, particularly low-income earners, through sustained investments and innovations under the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC)
Speaking on Tuesday December 23, 2025, during a media interaction, the Chief Executive Officer cum Director General of the Scheme, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, explained that the initiative was designed with a clear understanding that over 80 per cent of the population live below the poverty line, making out-of-pocket healthcare expenses unsustainable for most families.
“Our focus has always been the vulnerable. Government sometimes steps in directly to support market women, artisans and low-income earners because healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said.
He noted that the Commission’s premium structure was deliberately designed to remain affordable, with contributors paying as low as 3.5 per cent of their earnings annually, spread across the year.
“For someone earning one million naira annually, that translates to ₦35,000 for the whole year, less than ₦3,000 monthly. For those earning far less, the contribution is significantly lower.
“This ensures that no Deltan is excluded from healthcare because of cost,” he explained.
According to him, the Scheme also pools resources to guarantee equity, allowing funds contributed by higher earners to support access for the less privileged, thereby ensuring equal quality of care for all enrollees.
In recognition of its forward-thinking approach, the Delta State Contributory Health Commission has received multiple local and international accolades, including awards for innovation in health insurance delivery in Nigeria and across West Africa.
“We have consistently embraced innovation, remote initiatives, digital enrolment, biometric verification, and real-time data management.
“These systems ensure transparency, eliminate fraud, and protect both government resources and beneficiaries,” he stated.
The CEO disclosed that the Scheme has also created significant employment opportunities across the state, with over 350 trained agents currently engaged in community-based enrolment.
“These agents register enrollees daily, earn stipends, and receive performance-based incentives.
“This has provided a steady source of income for many young people while expanding healthcare access,” he said.
He revealed that enrolment figures have continued to rise steadily, with tens of thousands of residents registered monthly, supported by a fully digitised dashboard that tracks enrolment, payments, and service delivery in real time.
On quality assurance, he explained that the Scheme operates a robust monitoring framework involving field agents stationed at hospitals and pharmacies to ensure enrollees receive prescribed drugs and services without illegal charges.
“Our agents document prescriptions, drug dispensing, and patient feedback with photographic evidence. Any deviation is immediately flagged. If a provider fails to comply, sanctions follow,” he said.
He added that measures have also been introduced to curb unethical practices by healthcare providers, stressing that no facility or staff member is permitted to demand money from insured patients.
“We are firm on this. Any provider found extorting patients will be sanctioned. Healthcare under this Scheme must be delivered with dignity, transparency, and compassion,” he warned.
Commending the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment, Dr. Akpoveta, noted that innovations such as digital verification and monitoring have significantly reduced waiting times and improved patient experience across health facilities.
“With technology, accountability has improved, service delivery has become faster, and beneficiaries are more confident in the system,” the Director General added.
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission continues to position itself as a model for inclusive, transparent, and people-centred healthcare delivery, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to social protection and sustainable development.
