By Pat Gbemudu
The Delta State Contributory Health Commission has initiated different healthcare packages to suit various categories in the state.
One of them is the Artisan Enrollee Inducement Initiative, designed for craft and skilled workers who form the grey economy sector of the population.
The Director General of the commission, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, stated this when some online journalists paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Asaba.
Dr. Akpoveta said the initiatives were borne out of the recognition that the N7000 premium healthcare insurance per annum may be too much for those in such categories to pay in bulk, hence the commission was in talks with some financial institutions to induce them with a soft loan to enable them benefit from the scheme.
He said another initiative called TSHIP, which was already embraced in many tertiary institutions in the state, was first initiated by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) some years back, but could not be sustained, adding that “Delta state graciously embraced it and is already making huge progress in TSHIP.
Dr. Akpoveta noted that the commission had agreed with institutions to upgrade the medical equipment in the institution’s clinics using the dynamics of the health financing.
The Director General opined that students registered under the scheme are able to access care in their institutions’ clinics and outside the clinics when they are on break, noting that the move would help to upgrade medical facilities in educational institutions across the state and boost employment.
Dr. Akpoveta told the group that the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative is “gaining ground seriously”, and called on well to do Deltans residing anywhere in the country and in the diaspora to adopt and buy health insurance for people of low income who may not be able afford it themselves.
He also noted that the Access to Finance Initiative designed for residents in hard to reach areas, including the riverine terrain, is still in ongoing.
The Director General said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is concerned about the welfare of indigent and vulnerable persons in the state and had ensured the commission had a board that comprises experienced professionals, with a mindset of sustainability and continuity, even as he thanked the governor for appointing him the DG of the commission.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman, Mr. Peter Emmy Legacy,
CEO NOL24 TV & NIGERIAONLINE24, said the DSCHC has become a global brand that many were beginning to wonder the secret behind its success.
He said the visit was to create an enhanced relationship with the commission to ensure a factual and balanced reportage of activities of the commission.
The DSCHC DG later paid the #7,000 naira Health Insurance Premium for each of the seven members of the delegation, to enable them receive free healthcare for one year, and charged them to become advocates of the commission.
