By Felix Ofou, Daniel Bayagbon and Oreva Godwin
Director General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC), Dr Isaac Akpoveta, has revealed that the programme has been rated as the best in West Africa, having also emerged as the best in Nigeria.
He disclosed that the commission has so far enrolled over 2.4 million persons in its various schemes, representing about 43 percent of the population of Delta State.
Dr Akpoveta stated this in Asaba, the Delta State capital, when he spoke with the crew of Delta Revealed on the activities of the commission in the past one year since he was appointed DG by Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State.
He particularly commended Governor Oborevwori for providing the necessary leadership and financial support that has resulted in this feat.
The DG said DSCHC has become a model in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond, with enquiries coming from different national and sub national groups asking to copy from the Delta model.
According to him, Delta has spent over N10 Billion in subsidizing the contributory health insurance programme, making it the envy of similar organisations in states and at the national level.
“The national average is 26 percent. Delta, with 43 percent is clearly above that average. The closest to us is the Federal Capital Territory (FCT( which has only attained 19 percent. So, you can see we are far ahead. That’s why the Delta model is the most sort for. We are doing very well”, he declared.
The Royal physician, as he is also known, however stated that the commission has taken drastic steps to curtail those who want to take advantage of the seeming lax process in access, especially from neighbouring states.
“The scheme is meant for all those resident in Delta, irrespective of their state of origin. But we discover that people try to take advantage of our benevolence. Pregnant women travel from Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja and the South East two or three days before delivery to come and enjoy free maternal surgery.
“So, we have decided that unless you have had at least six visits of antenatal care in any of our hospitals, you will no longer be entitled to our free maternal services ‘, he stated.
Dr Akpoveta further urged politicians, business men and women as well as other well to do persons to help the vulnerable in society by registering them for only N7000, adding that the benefits that will accrue would be immeasurable.
(C) New Media Office
