As the economy continues to bite hard, quality healthcare has remained an elusive dream to many Nigerians. Hence, the state government has braced up to surmount the barriers faced by the vulnerable populations in accessing healthcare, through the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative of the Delta State Contributory Health Scheme.
The initiative which has been embraced by many philanthropists who have adopted and purchased health insurance for indigent persons around them, on Sunday, saw another registration of 150 persons from Owhelogbo, Isoko-North local government, courtesy of the family of Late Elder Joseph Ubuavame Erebe.
Addressing the gathering, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta said healthcare remains a fundamental human right and not a privilege, adding that philanthropy, when directed to healthcare for the vulnerable, becomes the ultimate act of compassion.
Dr. Akpoveta commended the sponsors, the family of Late Elder Joseph Ubuavame Erebe, for the gesture, saying that philanthropy in healthcare provides opportunity for people to live healthy and productive lives, to enable people seek preventive care and avoid escalation of minor illnesses into life threatening ones.
He said the Indigent Enrollee Adoption Initiative is a platform where high net worth individuals could make a tangible difference by adopting vulnerable indigents and purchasing health insurance premiums at the cost of #7000 per individual, and called on all, including those in the diaspora to key into the initiative and ensure no one is left behind, in furtherance of Universal Health Coverage.
He thanked Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for providing strong political will and financial support to the commission.
The representative of the sponsors Dr. James Ighoroje, thanked the state government for putting up such programs to benefit the grassroots, saying that it is a sign of commitment from the Government to its citizens.
Some of the beneficiaries, who also received their health insurance cards on the spot, expressed gratitude and prayed for the Government for providing such an initiative and the sponsors, for their benevolence.
A highlight of the ceremony was the awarding of Health Insurance Ambassador to the sponsors, the family of Late Elder Joseph Ubuavame Erebe.
