From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Two hundred persons from various communities in Oshimili North Local Government, Delta State, have been enrolled into the state health insurance scheme under the contributory health programme of the government.
Their annual premium of N7,000 was paid by the member representing the Oshimili North constituency at the state House of Assembly, Mr. Frank Esenwa.
A 67-year-old physically challenged retiree said to have been battling health challenges, was one of the beneficiaries. He said they have never had this good.
The new enrollees were registered into the scheme at Ibusa where the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Commission, drivers of the programme, flagged-off the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative as part of efforts to increase the number of enrollees and improve access to healthcare.
Director General of the commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, said over 1,890,000 persons have so far registered into the scheme: “The figure iindicates he confidence of Deltans in the commission and its programmes”, reiterating the commission’s commitment to expanding the reach and impact across the state.
He explained that the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative was part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and inclusivity within communities in the state.
Other initiatives geared toward creating access to healthcare to included Equity Health Plan, Formal Health Plan, Informal Health Plan, Access to Finance Initiative for the hard to reach areas of the state and Tertiary Institution Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).
Akpoveta said with N7,000, anyone could purchase health insurance for indigent persons around them to access quality healthcare in any hospital of their choice throughout the year.
He commended Esenwa for footing the health bills of his constituents, noting that the lawmaker was the first person to purchase health insurance for 200 persons under the scheme in the state
Akpoveta thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his continued political will and financial support to the commission, and urged stakeholders to continue to support initiatives aimed at expanding healthcare access for all residents of the state.
Chairman of the commission, Dr. Austin Obidi urged other well meaning Deltans and corporate organizations to lend a helping hand to the indigent around them, bearing in mind that health is
Esenwa said the gesture was aimed to reduce the health stress of his constituents, especially at a time where drugs were becoming more expensive, and the global economy was dwindling.
He thanked the immediate past governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his administration’s initiative to introduce the contributory health insurance scheme.